Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly scored twice as the Premier League side overcame a spirited Plymouth Argyle 3-1 to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals. A superb display from veteran midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who provided a crucial assist and a late goal, helped City avoid a potential upset against the Championship strugglers.
For a brief period, Plymouth, backed by 7,800 traveling fans, dared to dream of another FA Cup giant-killing. Maksym Talovierov, a January signing from LASK, headed home Matthew Sorinola’s corner in 27th minutes to give the visitors a shock lead. Plymouth had defeated Premier League sides, Brentford and Liverpool in the previous two rounds.
However, Manchester City’s quality eventually shone through. De Bruyne, whose future at the club remains uncertain with his contract expiring at the end of the season, delivered a pinpoint free-kick in first-half stoppage time for O’Reilly to head home the equalizer.
O’Reilly scored his second, and his first senior double, in the 76th minute. After Plymouth goalkeeper Conor Hazard made a brilliant double save to deny Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva, O’Reilly was on hand to nod in Phil Foden’s corner at the far post.
De Bruyne capped off a masterful performance with a goal of his own in the final minute, turning home Haaland’s low cross from close range.
Guardiola Praises FA Cup Run, De Bruyne’s Enduring Class
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised his team’s performance and emphasized the importance of the FA Cup. “We created a lot and conceded little – the basics we have done for many years,” Guardiola told BBC Sport. “We’re happy to reach the quarter-finals and with the way we played… When you arrive six times in a row in the semi-finals, it’s because [the FA Cup] is important… We’re one game away from Wembley and we’ll see what happens.”
De Bruyne’s performance was a reminder of his enduring quality, despite a season where he has sometimes looked below his best. Guardiola had left the Belgian on the bench for the crucial Champions League second leg against Real Madrid last month. However, his ability to dictate play and deliver decisive passes remains undiminished. The question remains whether De Bruyne, in a squad increasingly focused on youth, will be content with a potentially reduced role in the future.
Plymouth’s Brave Effort, Focus Shifts to Survival
Plymouth Argyle, despite the defeat, can take pride in their performance. Manager Miron Muslic has improved the side since his appointment, and they were well-organized and defensively resolute for large periods.
Captain Nikola Katic led by example, but Plymouth’s focus will now return to their Championship survival battle. Upcoming matches against fellow strugglers Hull and Derby will be crucial in determining their fate.
“We can only be disappointed with the result but very proud of our performance,” Muslic told BBC Sport. “We gave Man City a game – a proper one. We created some problems for them and had a good defensive structure. It’s City, with the best players and definitely the best coach in the world, who will come up with some solutions.”
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