Manchester City survived a major scare in the FA Cup fourth round, edging Leyton Orient 2-1 thanks to a late Kevin De Bruyne winner.
Despite fielding a strong side, City fell behind early, needing a stroke of luck and a moment of brilliance to complete their comeback against a determined League One opponent.
How the Game Unfolded
City’s troubles started early when Leyton Orient took a shock lead. Jamie Donley attempted an audacious lob from long range, which crashed off the crossbar before bouncing off Stefan Ortega’s back and rolling into the net—an unfortunate own goal for City’s goalkeeper.
Despite City dominating possession, Orient defended resolutely, with Donley turning hero at the other end by clearing Bernardo Silva’s shot off the line. Meanwhile, Josh Keeley produced key saves to deny Omar Marmoush and Jack Grealish.
Second-half adjustments paid off quickly as City equalized just ten minutes after the restart. A long-range shot from Rico Lewis took a huge deflection off Abdukodir Khusanov, wrong-footing Keeley and finding the net.
The visitors pushed for a winner, with James McAtee hitting the post, but it was De Bruyne’s moment of magic that sealed victory. The Belgian maestro, introduced from the bench, latched onto Jack Grealish’s clever through ball before slotting past Keeley in the 82nd minute.
City ultimately held on, advancing to the FA Cup fifth round, though they would have preferred a more comfortable afternoon before their midweek Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
Man City Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)
| Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| GK: Stefan Ortega | 7.0/10 |
| RB: Rico Lewis | 8.2/10 ⭐ (Player of the Match) |
| CB: Vitor Reis | 6.7/10 |
| CB: Ruben Dias | 6.7/10 |
| LB: Nico O’Reilly | 7.6/10 |
| DM: Nico Gonzalez | 5.9/10 |
| DM: Ilkay Gundogan | 7.9/10 |
| RW: Savinho | 7.1/10 |
| AM: James McAtee | 6.8/10 |
| LW: Jack Grealish | 8.1/10 |
| ST: Omar Marmoush | 7.5/10 |
Substitutes:
- Bernardo Silva (22′ for Gonzalez) – 6.6/10
- John Stones (46′ for Dias) – 6.6/10
- Abdukodir Khusanov (46′ for Reis) – 7.7/10
- Kevin De Bruyne (72′ for O’Reilly) – 7.1/10
- Phil Foden (72′ for McAtee) – 6.1/10
Subs not used: Scott Carson (GK), Manuel Akanji, Matheus Nunes, Divin Mubama.
Player of the Match: Rico Lewis (Man City)
Rico Lewis was City’s standout performer, contributing both defensively and offensively. His energy and composure were key, and his long-range shot led to the equalizer.
Key Takeaways from City’s Performance
✅ De Bruyne’s Class Shows Again – Despite City struggling, De Bruyne delivered when it mattered most, showcasing his vision and composure.
✅ Rico Lewis Continues to Impress – The youngster controlled the right flank, and his deflected strike proved crucial.
⚠️ Defensive Concerns Remain – City’s early errors and lack of sharpness at the back gave Orient too many chances.
What’s Next for Man City?
Pep Guardiola’s side march into the FA Cup fifth round, but attention now shifts to their high-stakes Champions League showdown against Real Madrid. With tactical tweaks needed, will City rise to the occasion?
