Leyton Orient enjoyed their moment of glory as they faced Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round at the Gaughan Group Stadium on February 8, 2025. The atmosphere was electric, with fans buzzing with anticipation for what could potentially become one of the most memorable upsets of the tournament.
From the outset, Leyton Orient, managed by Richie Wellens, appeared to be brimming with confidence, taking the fight to Manchester City, who are currently the reigning champions. The match began with fervor, and it didn't take long for Orient to make their mark, which left fans gasping.
On just 16 minutes, the unexpected happened: Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega misjudged his clearance attempt, resulting in an own goal and placing Leyton Orient firmly in the lead. The home crowd erupted as the realization dawned—Leyton Orient 1, Manchester City 0. This marked their first appearance in the FA Cup fourth round since the 2010-11 season, and it was evident the team was on cloud nine.
Despite the early setback, Manchester City, led by manager Pep Guardiola, was undeterred. They quickly regrouped, showcasing their prowess and possession style, dominating the game statistically with 23 shots compared to Leyton's 8, and controlling the ball with 52 total touches within the box. Yet, they struggled to convert chances as they faced resilient defending from Orient.
Just before the halftime whistle, Leyton Orient’s well-organized defense held strong, frustrating the City attack, which included notable starters such as Jack Grealish and İlkay Gündoğan. The break came with Orient still enjoying their surprise lead, and with their goalkeeper, Josh Keeley, performing heroics as he kept the City strikers at bay, making 7 saves throughout the match.
After the interval, Manchester City continued to apply pressure and finally found their rhythm. Abdukodir Khusanov found the equalizer for City just shortly after the second half commenced, netting the goal at the 55-minute mark. This deflection created plenty of tension and excitement for the fans; the match was level at 1-1 and the hopes of Orient's upset danced delicately on the edge.
The contest was now well poised, and Leyton Orient needed to regroup quickly to regain momentum. They made timely substitutions to inject fresh energy, wary of the power and depth City possessed, especially after their £130 million January signings were named to the starting XI. Those changes sparked some renewed vigor within the ranks of the home side as they sought to reclaim control of the match.
With continued back-and-forth action, Leyton Orient's efforts to return to the lead showcased their determination and fighting spirit. Their attacking player, Charlie Kelman, frequently posed challenges to the City defense as he utilized his pace and creativity to craft opportunities. Though they had fewer shots on target—only 2 compared to Manchester's 9—the resulting pressure displayed their tenacity.
Yet, as the clock ticked on, Manchester City began to showcase why they are regarded as one of the best clubs globally, pushing the envelope as they sought out the winning goal. Their continuous attempts forced Orient to fall back more defensively as they absorbed the pressure, turning to counterattacking strategies to catch City off-guard.
Despite the upscaling tensions and nearing conclusion of the match, Leyton Orient's defense held resolutely, exemplified by Keeley's amazing saves, keeping City at bay and not allowing them to capitalize on their dominance. The final whistle blew with the score locked at Leyton Orient 1, Manchester City 1, sending the match to extra time.
This represented the first time Leyton Orient had met Manchester City since their last league encounter back on May 1966, marking the significance of this FA Cup fixture.
Reflecting on the game, Leyton Orient fans could take pride in their team's valiant performance, and it proved to be not just about the score. For the underdogs, each moment of play encapsulated the sheer joy and excitement of the FA Cup, and amid the echoes of history, they showed they are always capable of rising to the occasion, especially against giants like Manchester City.