Nico O'Reilly's Brilliance Secures Manchester City Win Over Plymouth in FA Cup

Manchester City’s young talent, Nico O’Reilly, delivered a remarkable performance, scoring twice to save his high-profile teammates from embarrassment and thwart Plymouth’s dreams of another epic FA Cup upset. For a thrilling few minutes, the loyal and spirited 7,800 Plymouth fans, who embarked on a 560-mile round trip with the knowledge they’d return home in the early hours of Sunday, dared to envision victory. It was new January recruit Maksym Talovierov, whose parents live in Kyiv, Ukraine, who headed in Matthew Sorinola’s corner, celebrating as Plymouth fans rejoiced, hoping to achieve another giant-slaying after their victory over Premier League leaders Liverpool in the last round. However, with some assistance from team captain Kevin de Bruyne, O’Reilly ensured there would be no fairy tale. In the dying moments of the first half, De Bruyne, who has been involved in more FA Cup goals than any other player since his debut in January 2016, delivered a superb free-kick that O’Reilly expertly headed in. With just 14 minutes left, despite Plymouth’s goalkeeper Conor Hazard’s fantastic double save against Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva, O’Reilly was perfectly positioned to nod Phil Foden’s corner at the far post. Plymouth’s hopes were dashed when De Bruyne sealed the match, scoring from Haaland’s low cross in the final minute. This victory reiterated City’s dominance and keeps Pep Guardiola on track for a third win in a competition he cherishes. Meanwhile, Plymouth’s fans have reason to be proud of their team’s spirited effort as they journey back home.

“We created numerous chances and kept our defense tight – the fundamentals we’ve adhered to for years,” Guardiola told BBC Sport, expressing satisfaction with reaching the quarter-finals and their overall performance. He reflected on their consistent semi-final appearances, emphasizing the importance of the FA Cup. “Being just one match away from Wembley is thrilling, and I’m eager to see how it unfolds.” With De Bruyne’s contract nearing its end this season, his future with Guardiola’s evolving team remains uncertain despite the manager’s optimism about a contract renewal for the 33-year-old. Although De Bruyne has not been at his peak this season, often benched, his precise ability to orchestrate plays was evident against a well-drilled Plymouth. The challenge remains whether De Bruyne, a former standout in the Premier League, will accept a less prominent role as younger players like O’Reilly rise. Should this match be his last FA Cup encounter at the Etihad, City’s fans were treated to a spectacle of his brilliance. De Bruyne’s perfectly executed set-piece for O’Reilly’s first senior brace demonstrated his enduring prowess. Though his goal was ultimately inconsequential, it marked his 10th FA Cup goal throughout his career.

Plymouth also offered glimpses of their potential. Having already triumphed over Brentford and Liverpool, their supporters rallied in great numbers with justified enthusiasm. Talovierov’s goal sparked dreams of what could have been. Yet, the hard truth is Plymouth’s battle for survival in the Championship continues, as their potential is yet to be fulfilled. Owner Simon Hallett’s vision and investment led to the appointment of Wayne Rooney as manager, but now Miron Muslic has improved the squad’s cohesion. Although limited offensively, they managed to challenge City with a solid defensive strategy. Captain Nikola Katic’s leadership was commendable, but more effort will be required as Plymouth prepares to face struggling teams Hull and Derby later this month—matches that could define their season. If Plymouth can survive, they might begin to build momentum; otherwise, they face a fresh start. “We’re only disappointed with the result, but immensely proud of our effort,” Muslic said in a BBC Sport interview. “We gave Man City a real challenge and developed some robust defensive tactics.”