Manchester City triumphed over Plymouth Argyle with a score of 3-1 during the FA Cup fifth round at the Etihad Stadium on March 1, 2025, ensuring their progress to the quarter-finals of this historic competition.
The match began with Plymouth Argyle stunning the hosts as Maksym Talovierov fired the visitors to a shocking lead, capitalizing on City's inability to score during the first half. The centre-back rose high from a corner kick to plunge the traveling 8,000 fans from Plymouth, who made the 280-mile trip, deep within celebration.
Despite this setback, Manchester City, fueled by their desire to salvage another title amid challenges faced this season, responded fiercely. The dynamic 19-year-old Nico O'Reilly, often filling the role of left-back, emerged as the club's savior. Just on the brink of halftime, O'Reilly glanced home a pinpoint free-kick from Kevin De Bruyne, restoring parity and lifting the spirits of the City players and fans alike.
Entering the second half with renewed vigor, City boss Pep Guardiola made strategic changes, including introducing prolific striker Erling Haaland. This adjustment brought yet another dimension to the City attack. O'Reilly soon found himself at the center of the action again, heading home another goal from a Phil Foden corner kick on the 76th minute, giving City their first lead of the match.
Kevin De Bruyne capped off the evening with his own contribution, slotting home during stoppage time after smart work from Haaland on the flank. This final goal underscored De Bruyne’s prolific performance, marking his importance within the tournament, boasting 29 FA Cup goal involvements since his debut.
“The FA Cup is always important. It’s a big competition, all the teams in England play it and we want to win it,” O'Reilly expressed after the match, reflecting on the importance of this cup run for City.
Analyzing the match, Guardiola lauded the heart shown by the squad, commending the talent of his younger players including O'Reilly, who he believes can carve out long-term roles. The fact City could secure such decisive moments from their younger talents, especially against stubborn lower-league opposition, speaks volumes of their academy prowess.
Plymouth Argyle, who have shown remarkable spirit since the arrival of their new manager Miron Muslic, showed great resilience and structure, particularly during the first half. They had stunned sentiment at the stadium when they took the lead, having pulled off remarkable victories against high-profile Premier League teams such as Liverpool and Brentford just to reach this stage.
Yet, their dreams of another upset quickly faded as City, known for their relentless attacking play, began to tighten the screws. Despite the initial shock, City quickly regained control of the match post-O'Reilly’s equalizer.
Phil Foden's contributions highlighted the City midfield's craftsmanship, with the 24-year-old pivoting around the designated striker role, asserting pressure and creating opportunities. Jack Grealish and Ilkay Gundogan both came close to scoring before the half as well, illustrating the breadth of attacking talent at Guardiola's disposal.
Reflecting on the match, O'Reilly acknowledged the impact of De Bruyne on and off the pitch, saying, “He’s an amazing player and you see it in training every day. His work is 100% and it’s a pleasure to play with him.” De Bruyne’s experience and skill were instrumental as City continued to press for more after they regained momentum.
With City securing their eighth FA Cup quarter-final appearance in the past nine seasons, their ambitions remain fervently alive, ignited by this powerful win against Plymouth. The draw set to take place on Sunday will determine who they face next, but for now, the excitement from this victory will linger among players and supporters alike.
Next, Manchester City travels to face Nottingham Forest on March 8, where they hope to carry this form and focus for the remainder of their season, eager to not only advance through the FA Cup but also reclaim footing within the Premier League.