Pep Guardiola needed to depend on Manchester Metropolis’s massive weapons to stop them from struggling a significant FA Cup upset at Leyton Orient this afternoon.
The League One aspect led for 40 minutes following Stefan Ortega’s personal objective however a lucky equaliser adopted by a chunk of brilliance from Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne noticed Metropolis squeeze via.
Guardiola named a much-changed line-up that included debutants Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez however each endured a torrid time with the previous dragged off on the break, and Gonzalez limping off after 22 minutes.
The latter was injured after being dispossessed within the build-up to Orient’s objective, dropping out to Sonny Perkins and enabling Jamie Donley to try an formidable 45-yard chip over Ortega.
The ball clipped the underside of the bar after which struck the backtracking German on the legs earlier than crossing the road.
Metropolis provided fleeting moments by the use of a response earlier than their luck modified 11 minutes into the second half when the ball hit substitute Abdukodir Khusanov and went in.
And Metropolis, watched on by Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, then grabbed the winner courtesy of Belgium star De Bruyne.
Virtually fast impression from Kevin De Bruyne!!! 💥
Metropolis lead! pic.twitter.com/pn2KVTdtev
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 8, 2025
Residence defender Dan Happe ought to have equalised within the remaining minute however blazed a volley excessive and huge from six yards.
Metropolis rocked
The primary half couldn’t have gone any higher for boss Richie Wellens and Orient with the house aspect capable of snuff out any risk from the Premier League champions whereas trying a persistent risk on the counter.
Orient may have gone forward from their first critical assault after three minutes. The vigorous Charlie Kelman performed in Jack Currie down the left and his low cross was partially handled by Nico O’Reilly earlier than the referee blew for a foul.
Metropolis responded with Ilkay Gundogan one way or the other stubbing his shot huge from in entrance of an open objective after 9 minutes.
Orient have been discovering loads of pleasure once they did come ahead and Kelman discovered himself clear via 5 minutes later however a heavy contact pushed him huge, enabling Ortega to make a smothering save.
The German was not so lucky from Orient’s subsequent assault because the hosts took a shock lead. Perkins’ problem on Gonzalez in midfield was deemed truthful by referee Darren Bond and the ball fell to Donley who produced a second of magic.
Leyton Orient’s MAGIC second 💫💫💫 pic.twitter.com/PMrpp0b9Li
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 8, 2025
Metropolis huffed and puffed in quest of an equaliser however lacked the bodily presence of the lacking Erling Haaland.
Donley cleared a Bernardo Silva shot off the road and Omar Marmoush scuffed a volley off his heel, permitting house keeper Josh Keeley to make a routine save.
Half-time modifications make impression
Guardiola’s half-time modifications with Khusanov and John Stones approaching provided the guests a higher degree of stability on the again and with Orient seemingly happier to sit down again, it was the Premier League aspect that began to dominate.
Gundogan noticed a shot blocked, as did Marmoush, whereas James McAtee’s effort struck the skin of the right-hand put up.
Keeley produced an excellent save to maintain out a Gundogan shot after 63 minutes, diving low to his left to parry the ball clear.
The boisterous house crowd had fallen quiet as in the event that they sensed an equaliser was coming and it duly arrived from the ensuing nook.
A brief routine noticed the ball fall to Rico Lewis on the sting of the realm and his shot struck Khusanov and mistaken footed Keeley on its means in.
MANCHESTER CITY ARE LEVEL! pic.twitter.com/YIgeYYyKPq
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 8, 2025
Guardiola referred to as for De Bruyne and Phil Foden after 71 minutes and it didn’t take lengthy for one in every of them to make his mark.
Grealish, who impressed on his return to the beginning line up, performed a beautiful ball into the left channel and De Bruyne capitalised on a second’s hesitation from Keeley to clip the ball previous the goalkeeper.
