Man City given scare by third-tier Leyton Orient but advance in FA Cup
Manchester City edged past Leyton Orient 2-1, advancing to the FA Cup fifth round despite a strong challenge from the third-tier side.
Pep Guardiola had to turn to his bench to prevent a monumental shock for the Premier League champions as substitute Kevin De Bruyne scored the winner 11 minutes from time.
Jamie Donley’s audacious effort that came back off the bar and rebounded in off City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega had given the League One side an early lead.
They maintained that advantage until 56 minutes when Rico Lewis’ shot deflected in off Abdukodir Khusanov for his first Manchester City goal.
Guardiola threw on Phil Foden and De Bruyne in desperate search of a winner and the veteran Belgian duly delivered.
READ ALSO: Arsenal hammer Man City 5-1 to keep pace with Liverpool
De Bruyne prodded in Jack Grealish’s forward pass to spare City’s blushes from the latest embarrassment of a difficult season.
Guardiola’s men sit fourth in the Premier League and narrowly avoided a shock early exit from the Champions League in the group stages.
But they will need to be much improved when the might of Real Madrid come calling to the Etihad in the Champions League play-off round on Tuesday.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
