Man City v Plymouth LIVE: FA Cup result as O’Reilly brace helps hosts come from behind to earn win
Man City 3-1 Plymouth: Nico O’Reilly brace helps secure comeback win for Guardiola’s side
Manchester City booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 3-1 comeback win over Plymouth Argyle.
Pep Guardiola made 11 changes ahead of kick-off but it started with a seamless transition for the hosts as they dominated the opening exchanges.
However, it was the visitors who struck first when Maksym Talovierov rose highest to head home a corner in the 38th minute.
But the hosts but they recovered quickly, with Nico O’Reilly equalising just before half-time as he glanced in from Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick.
The second half began with City enjoying plenty of possession and going close through Berardo Silva, Rico Lewis and Erling Haaland, and the pressure paid off in the 78th minute as O’Reilly nodded in for his brace.
And from there it was one-way traffic for the hosts, with De Bruyne sliding in to wrap it up in the 90th minute.
Follow all of the latest from the Etihad Stadium with our live blog below.
Man City 0-1 Plymouth
41 mis
Almost an instant equaliser for City and Reis should really score, as he rises highest this time but powers his header over from only six yards. Should do better.
GOAL! Man City 0-1 Plymouth
38 mins
GOAL! Oh my word, the Championship side are ahead!
It’s disappointing defending from City, as the corner comes in and Maxi Talovierov is simpy standing there, rising highest to head into the far corner!
It’ a perfectly placed header but he wasn't exactly under a lot of pressure...
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
36 mins
Vitor Reis hasn't had a lot to do today but he gets jeered as he’s unable to control a ball under the challenge from Bundu.
Moments later, Plymouth work half a chance as a low cross from Wright isn’t met by anyone in the area, before Reis does well to put another low cross out for a corner.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
35 mins
Some brilliant defending from the visitors on that occasion as Grealish’s dangerous cross is taken off McAtee’s boot by a sliding Pleguezuelo before Tavolierov cushions a header back to Hazard. Easy.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
32 mins
Despite the hosts’ domination in possession, Plymouth have settled quite well at the Etihad.
They aren’t offering loads in attack but they have dealt with what City have thrown at them in attack so far (with the help of the post on that one occasion).
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
Ilkay Gundogan is - in theory, anyway - anchoring the midfield but has been City's major attacking threat so far and has just hit the inside of the post with a crisply-struck half-volley.
Gundogan's last FA Cup goals were his brace in the 2023 final, including the strike in 13 seconds to set them on their way to victory over Manchester United.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
28 mins
CLOSE! He should score really.
Great play from City as Grealish and De Bruyne exchange passes before the former’s cross is deflected into the path of the on-running Gundogan. The German hits a first-time effort that looks like it’s curling in but it cannons off the far post!
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
26 mins
City win corner number seven of the match.
It’s aimed for Ake again, but Pleguezuelo does well to head away at the back post.
At the second attempt, the Dutchman goes down under a challenge in the box but it’s waved away.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
24 mins
Some great play from both sides, with Wright exchanging passes in the area but narrowly missing getting the shot away before City counter with a lovely long ball that Foden is inches away from latching onto. A great covering challenge there.
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