De Bruyne helps Guardiola’s men squeeze through after major scare

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Pep Guardiola had to rely on Manchester City’s big guns to prevent them from suffering a major FA Cup upset at Leyton Orient this afternoon.

The League One side led for 40 minutes following Stefan Ortega’s own goal but a fortunate equaliser followed by a piece of brilliance from Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne saw City squeeze through.

Guardiola named a much-changed line-up that included debutants Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez but both endured a torrid time with the former dragged off at the break, and Gonzalez limping off after 22 minutes.

The latter was injured after being dispossessed in the build-up to Orient’s goal, losing out to Sonny Perkins and enabling Jamie Donley to attempt an ambitious 45-yard chip over Ortega.

The ball clipped the underside of the bar and then struck the backtracking German on the legs before crossing the line.

City offered fleeting moments by way of a response before their luck changed 11 minutes into the second half when the ball hit substitute Abdukodir Khusanov and went in.

And City, watched on by Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, then grabbed the winner courtesy of Belgium star De Bruyne.

Home defender Dan Happe should have equalised in the final minute but blazed a volley high and wide from six yards.

City rocked

The first half could not have gone any better for boss Richie Wellens and Orient with the home side able to snuff out any threat from the Premier League champions while looking a persistent threat on the counter.

Orient could have gone ahead from their first serious attack after three minutes. The lively Charlie Kelman played in Jack Currie down the left and his low cross was partially dealt with by Nico O’Reilly before the referee blew for a foul.

City responded with Ilkay Gundogan somehow stubbing his shot wide from in front of an open goal after nine minutes.

Orient were finding plenty of joy when they did come forward and Kelman found himself clean through five minutes later but a heavy touch pushed him wide, enabling Ortega to make a smothering save.

The German was not so fortunate from Orient’s next attack as the hosts took a shock lead. Perkins’ challenge on Gonzalez in midfield was deemed fair by referee Darren Bond and the ball fell to Donley who produced a moment of magic.

City huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser but lacked the physical presence of the missing Erling Haaland.

Donley cleared a Bernardo Silva shot off the line and Omar Marmoush scuffed a volley off his heel, allowing home keeper Josh Keeley to make a routine save.

Half-time changes make impact

Guardiola’s half-time changes with Khusanov and John Stones coming on offered the visitors a greater level of stability at the back and with Orient seemingly happier to sit back, it was the Premier League side that started to dominate.

Gundogan saw a shot blocked, as did Marmoush, while James McAtee’s effort struck the outside of the right-hand post.

Keeley produced a brilliant save to keep out a Gundogan shot after 63 minutes, diving low to his left to parry the ball clear.

The boisterous home crowd had fallen quiet as if they sensed an equaliser was coming and it duly arrived from the resulting corner.

A short routine saw the ball fall to Rico Lewis on the edge of the area and his shot struck Khusanov and wrong footed Keeley on its way in.

Guardiola called for De Bruyne and Phil Foden after 71 minutes and it didn’t take long for one of them to make his mark.

Grealish, who impressed on his return to the starting line up, played a wonderful ball into the left channel and De Bruyne capitalised on a moment’s hesitation from Keeley to clip the ball past the goalkeeper.

 




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