Revealed: Manchester City set record TV audience figures in FA Cup win over Plymouth Argyle | OneFootball

A record 2.4 million viewers watched on as Manchester City secured a 3-1 win over Plymouth Argyle in the fifth round of the FA Cup last week, it has been revealed.

Nico O’Reilly’s brace of headers either side of half-time and a refreshing late strike from Kevin De Bruyne booked Manchester City’s spot in the FA Cup quarter-final, where the Blues face a tricky test away at Bournemouth.

The FA Cup is Pep Guardiola’s sole remaining shot at silverware this season after Manchester City crashed out of the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid and have all but surrendered their four-year long Premier League crown to leaders Liverpool.

Guardiola named a strong starting eleven against Argyle days after City claimed a narrow win against Tottenham, with all of Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden starting in attack for the four-in-a-row Premier League champions.

Manchester City have struggled with injuries across the pitch all season but particularly in defence, wherein the January arrivals of youngsters Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis have alleviated what has become a growing headache for Guardiola.

It is a headache likely to be resolved when City clear out much of their deadwood in the upcoming transfer window and back Guardiola in the transfer market to get the Blues back challenging in the league and Europe – having spent £181.5 million in January already.

However, whilst the Blues are unlikely to make history on the pitch this term, their FA Cup showdown with Championship side Argyle last side did produce a record live audience on ITV4, it has now been revealed.

As per information surfaced by John Williams, Head of Scheduling Strategy at ITV, a record-shattering audience of 2.4 million watched Manchester City vs Plymouth Argyle on ITV4 on Saturday.

The tie provided ITV4 its best ever daily share and Plymouth’s commendable run en route to the FA Cup fifth-round – having beaten Brentford and Liverpool on the way – is certain to have played a huge role in setting the record figure.

Manchester City will now turn their attentions immediately back to Premier League action this weekend with their pursuit of a top-four finish ongoing as they take on third-placed Nottingham Forest away from home.