Manchester City 3 Plymouth Argyle 1: match report

Blues through to FA cup last 8 after seeing off spirited Plymouth side

Manchester City welcomed struggling championship side Plymouth Argyle to the Etihad in an FA cup fifth round clash following a big away win at Tottenham in the premier league earlier this week. Plymouth had made it to the fifth round with possibly the biggest upset all season with a 1-0 home win against top of the league Liverpool and kept this in mind travelling to the home ground of another top side. City had proven before that they are prone to struggle against lower league sides, with a difficult game against Leyton Orient in the previous round. O’Reilly started as well as Mcatee from City’s academy. Ortega started in goal with Lewis, Reis and Ake in defence. Gundogan and De Bruyne were in midfielder with Bernardo, Grealish and Foden in attack in what appeared to be a false 9 formation.

The match was a tough contest in the first half, Plymouth were motivated by their large away support with 7,800 Pilgrims filling the second and third tiers of the south stand. City had the most possession regardless however, initially struggled to break down the Plymouth defence, with the closest chance being a first time shot from Gundogan in the 27th minute rattling the post and out. Plymouth had their attacking opportunities and were very much in the fight. In the 37th minute, a ball in to the box looked certain to be a routine collection for Ortega but the ball was sent out for a corner by Reis, which likely raised a few eyebrows. The following corner proved that this was a big mistake as the ball in found the head of defender Talovierov and into the net to give Plymouth the lead away at the champions. Pandemonium from the Pilgrims.

As much as City have been dumbed down by going behind this season, knowing full well the difference between the two sides, they kept their cool and the young players were as fired up for an opportunity as the Plymouth players were. On the stroke of half time a foul was called just outside the box for a City free kick. De Bruyne swung the ball into the box and the cross was met by the head of O’Reilly whose header bounced off the keeper’s hands into the net to make it all square at half time. A reprieve for City but all being said it was by no means their finest 45 minutes ever.

Plymouth’s resilience continued into the second half. Despite having limited attacking opportunities, the determined Pilgrim’s still put in a strong defensive performance to keep the Blues out for a large portion of the second half. An in swinging shot from De Bruyne was saved by Hazard. Haaland came on who had his chances but was denied by the defence and a close shot went over the bar. A follow-up from Bernardo was sent behind for a corner. This proved to be the corner that finally had City in the lead, with O’Reilly scoring another header, giving him a brace.

Plymouth did what they could to try and get a late equaliser but the Blues were well and truly settled now and sealed it when a ball went to Haaland whose shot was saved but the ball bounced back to him and with a pass to De Bruyne to tap it in it was 3-1 and City were now safely through.

All hope is not yet lost for City this season, with top 4 very much still on the cards after Wednesday’s win and the FA cup a genuine opportunity in the quarter finals. However, with their form this season and many challenging sides who have not yet tasted much success left in the cup, the Blues will know they will still have to be at their absolute best if they are to lift silverware this season. For Plymouth, they will merely be proud of their performance in the midst of disappointment, beating two top flight sides and leading against one momentarily.