Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Sat 1 March 2025 20:01, UK

Pep Guardiola will have been a relieved man as Man City avoided an embarrassing defeat against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup.

Maksym Talovierov opened the scoring with a fine header, giving the Championship side a shock lead at the Etihad Stadium on 1 March, but City eventually hit back on the stroke of half-time.

Nico O’Reilly bagged his goal of the night, heading home Kevin De Bruyne‘s cross into the middle before the exact same situation arose with 15 minutes of the game remaining, from a Phil Foden centre.

With Plymouth pushing to find an equaliser in the dying embers of the game, substitute Erling Haaland broke free, saw his shot saved but rolled the ball across for De Bruyne to make it 3-1.

The Citizens managed to overturn their early setback and secure a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals, and lifting the trophy one more time could be a fitting end if this is Guardiola’s final season at Man City.

Nico O’Reilly saves the day for Man City

Stefan Ortega – 5

Absolutely nothing Ortega could do as Talovierov towered above the City defence and headed home the opener. Could do little else as his team controlled possession.

Rico Lewis – 4

Got into some great positions but was extremely wasteful with his shots, blasting a key chance straight over the crossbar when City were chasing the win.

Vitor Reis – 6

A positive second appearance since moving from Palmeiras in January, proving to be quite the natural defender when called upon.

Nathan Ake (Off for Ruben Dias 46′) – 6

For someone relatively small, Ake is extremely good in the air and he continued to win his battles throughout the game. Shame he was replaced at half-time.

Nico O’Reilly – 9 – Man of the Match

An incredible night for the 19-year-old, who popped up with both goals to save Guardiola and his side from embarrassment in the FA Cup. Was so positive from the left-back spot.

Ilkay Gundogan – 7

One of his better performances since returning to the Etihad. Supporters have been quite saddened by his drop in quality but he controlled the game well against Plymouth and definitely should have scored.

Kevin De Bruyne runs the show against Plymouth Argyle

Bernardo Silva – 6

All over the pitch against the Championship strugglers, making himself known in challenges and putting his body on the line to get City a spot in the next round of the FA Cup.

James McAtee (Off for Erling Haaland 59′) – 5

Certainly not his best night in the Man City senior team. Struggled to get involved at times and showed Guardiola few reasons to keep him on the pitch any longer.

Kevin De Bruyne – 8

Absolutely ran the show at the Etihad, creating countless chances for his teammates and finally getting his assist on the stroke of half-time. It could be De Bruyne’s final season at Man City, and winning the FA Cup would be a fitting end.

Jack Grealish – 6

As always, Grealish put his body on the line as the Championship side kicked out at him throughout the game. That did not stop him from creating several chances in the final third.

Phil Foden (Off for Nico Gonzalez 83′) – 7

All of his hard work as the sole striker finally paid off when O’Reilly headed home his corner kick, notching his first goal involvement in nine appearances.

Substitutes

Ruben Dias (On for Ake 46′) – 6

Helped stabilise the backline, but even then, Plymouth had a couple of chances to create an FA Cup upset.

Erling Haaland (On for McAtee 59′) – 3

Despite an assist right at the end, Haaland missed several chances to win the game before O’Reilly’s 76th-minute header. A very frustrating substitute appearance for the Norwegian.

Nico Gonzalez (On for Foden 83′) – N/A