The Independent
·8 February 2025
Leyton Orient vs Man City LIVE: FA Cup result and final score after late De Bruyne magic
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·8 February 2025
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Guardiola denies City's big spending in fear of transfer embargo
Manchester City survived an FA Cup scare against Leyton Orient as Kevin De Bruyne completed a late comeback at Brisbane Road to book their place in the fifth round.
The League One side threatened a mighty shock against the Premier League champions when Jamie Donley chipped Stefan Ortega from the halfway line, with the ball rebounding off the goalkeeper and into the net.
Pep Guardiola’s side were stunned but they levelled soon after half time when Rico Lewis’ effort deflected in off substitute Abdukodir Khusanov.
It was a fortunate equaliser but the winner from De Bruyne was class, as he took down a long ball and steered a finish past Orient’s Josh Keeley, who until then had kept the champions at bay.
Orient had a couple of late moments, but couldn’t conjure another moment of magic. City will now turn their attention to facing Real Madrid on Tuesday, knowing Orient gave them a proper test.
So from Brisbane Road to the Bernabeu... Man City pass a test but there are plenty more to come. Catch you next time.
2 Feb: 5-1 Arsenal (away) - PL
8 Feb: 1-2 Leyton Orient (away) - FA
11 Feb: vs Real Madrid (home)- CL
15 Feb: vs Newcastle (home) - PL
19 Feb: vs Real Madrid (away) - CL
23 Feb: vs Liverpool (home) - PL
26 Feb: vs Tottenham (away) - PL
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood8 February 2025 16:02
Kevin De Bruyne struck in the 79th minute to spare the blushes of Manchester City and earn them a hard-fought 2-1 victory in a rip-roaring FA Cup fourth-round tie at Leyton Orient.
The League One side went ahead in remarkable fashion after 16 minutes when a 40-yard lob by Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley hit City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and went in to send Brisbane Road into pandemonium.
Pep Guardiola had watched City get thumped 5-1 at Arsenal last Sunday and would have feared more London woe, but substitute Abdukodir Khusanov deflected in Rico Lewis’ strike to level after 56 minutes.
De Bruyne was brought on soon after and poked home with 11 minutes left to break the hearts of the O’s and their Manchester United-supporting boss Richie Wellens, as the Premier League champions progressed into round five.
Jamie Donley produced a moment of magic to put Orient ahead.
Jamie Braidwood8 February 2025 16:00
Manchester City’s new £49 signing Nico Gonzalez suffered an injury just 22 minutes into his debut at Leyton Orient and is a doubt to face Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The deadline day transfer from Porto, who was bought to fill the hole left by the sidelined Rodri in central midfield, was forced off in the FA Cup tie after landing awkwardly in a challenge.
Gonzalez appeared to hurt his back and was replaced after receiving treatment. To add insult to injury, League One side Leyton Orient scored moments after the challenge when Jamie Donley lobbed Stefan Ortega from the halfway line. City came from behind to win 2-1.
But Gonzalez’s injury is a further headache to Guardiola ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League play-off first leg against Real Madrid at the Etihad. The 23-year-old Spaniard, who Porto bought from Barcelona, would likely have featured against the European champions.
The £49m midfielder is a doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Real Madrid after he was forced off against Leyton Orient
Jamie Braidwood8 February 2025 15:59
Man City boss Pep Guardiola says his side’s 2-1 win over Leyton Orient was as difficult as he expected.
“I know the FA Cup,” he told the BBC. “Since we lost to Wigan in 2019, it’s typical of the FA Cup. It’s why we love it, the fans. They are a good team, the bombard the channels. Always in this competition they are good at that. Happy to go through.
“It was really hard but after the fantastic goal they had, we took control of the game and created a lot of chances.”
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood8 February 2025 14:51
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