Premier League champions Manchester City narrowly escaped a shocking FA Cup elimination as Kevin De Bruyne’s late goal secured a 2-1 victory against a determined Leyton Orient side in the fourth round of the competition.
Despite a star-studded lineup, Manchester City struggled to break down the League One outfit, who took a surprise early lead through Jamie Donley’s stunning long-range effort. The visitors responded in the second half, equalizing through a deflected shot from Abdukodir Khusanov before De Bruyne sealed the hard-fought win.
Leyton Orient’s Dream Start and Defensive Grit
Leyton Orient, playing in front of a packed Brisbane Road crowd, started with high energy and pressed Manchester City aggressively. Their efforts paid off in the 16th minute when Jamie Donley unleashed a sensational 50-yard strike that ricocheted off the crossbar and deflected in off Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. The goal sent the home fans into raptures and put the Premier League giants under immense pressure.
Despite City dominating possession, Orient remained compact and disciplined, defending with resilience. Charlie Kelman and Ruel Sotiriou pressed high, forcing Manchester City into errors, while the backline, led by Dan Happe, repelled numerous attacks. Their defensive efforts saw them go into halftime with a well-earned 1-0 lead.
Manchester City’s Fightback and Tactical Adjustments
City boss Pep Guardiola made tactical tweaks at halftime, instructing his team to increase the tempo and exploit the wide areas. The breakthrough finally came in the 56th minute when Rico Lewis fired a shot from outside the box, which took a crucial deflection off Khusanov and nestled into the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
Guardiola then introduced Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva to inject creativity into Manchester City’s attack. The move paid off in the 79th minute when Jack Grealish’s pinpoint pass found De Bruyne, who calmly slotted the ball past the Orient goalkeeper to complete the comeback.
Despite the lead, Manchester City remained vulnerable at the back, and Orient nearly forced extra time when Dan Happe found himself unmarked in the box, but his volley sailed agonizingly over the bar in the dying moments.
Nico González’s Debut Nightmare and City’s Injury Concerns
The match also marked the Manchester City debut of Nico González, the club’s recent €60 million signing from Porto. However, his introduction to English football was far from ideal. The midfielder lost possession in midfield, leading to Donley’s opener, and just four minutes later, he suffered a back injury that forced him off the pitch.
His early exit adds to Guardiola’s growing injury concerns, with midfield enforcer Rodri Hernández already sidelined. With a crucial Champions League clash against Real Madrid looming, City will be anxiously awaiting updates on González’s condition.
Reactions from Both Camps: Guardiola and Wellens Reflect on the Match
After the match, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the difficulty of the FA Cup and praised Orient’s spirited performance. “Since our defeat to Wigan in 2018, we know how unpredictable this competition is. They are a well-managed team and made it incredibly hard for us. We’re just happy to be in the next round,” he stated.
Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens was proud of his team’s display despite the loss. “We caused them problems, created chances, and defended well. It’s disappointing to lose, but to push a side like Manchester City that far is a testament to our players. The atmosphere was incredible, and I’m proud of how my lads performed,” he said.
Despite the defeat, Orient can hold their heads high, having delivered a classic FA Cup performance that nearly toppled one of the world’s best teams. Meanwhile, Manchester City will be relieved to have escaped an embarrassing upset as they continue their pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts.
