Manchester City narrowly escaped an FA Cup upset as they edged past third-tier Leyton Orient with a 2-1 victory on Saturday, securing their place in the fifth round.
Pep Guardiola’s side endured a frustrating evening and had to rely on a late winner from substitute Kevin De Bruyne to avoid a monumental shock.
Leyton Orient Stun City with Early Lead
City fell behind in the first half when Jamie Donley’s ambitious strike rebounded off the crossbar and deflected in off goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, handing the League One side a stunning lead. Despite dominating possession, the Premier League champions struggled to break down a resilient Orient defense.
Lewis and De Bruyne Turn the Tide
City’s equalizer finally arrived in the 56th minute when Rico Lewis’ shot took a crucial deflection off Abdukodir Khusanov, marking the young defender’s first goal for the club.
Sensing the urgency, Guardiola turned to his bench, introducing Phil Foden and De Bruyne in search of a winner. The move paid off, as De Bruyne calmly slotted home Jack Grealish’s pass in the 79th minute, sparing City from a humiliating exit.
City’s Struggles Continue Ahead of Real Madrid Clash
Despite securing the win, City’s performance highlighted ongoing struggles in a difficult season. Guardiola’s men sit fourth in the Premier League and barely scraped through the Champions League group stage.
With Real Madrid set to visit the Etihad for a high-stakes Champions League play-off on Tuesday, City will need a much-improved display to avoid further disappointment.
