Manchester City survived an FA Cup scare for the second straight game as they beat second-tier strugglers Plymouth Argyle 3-1 to reach the quarter-finals on Saturday, with fellow English Premier League clubs Bournemouth and Crystal Palace also progressing.
Teenager Nico O’Reilly saved City’s blushes with two headed goals after Maksym Talovierov had sent thousands of visiting fans into delirium by heading Plymouth into the lead at the Etihad Stadium.
Plymouth were unable to emulate their shock victory over Premier League leaders Liverpool in the fourth round and City will now be big favourites to win the Cup for the third time under Pep Guardiola.
City also had to come from behind to beat third-tier Leyton Orient in the previous round.
O’Reilly headed home a Kevin de Bruyne cross in first-half stoppage time and City laid siege to Plymouth’s goal in the second period before O’Reilly again was in the right place to head De Bruyne’s corner into the net in the 76th minute.
De Bruyne rounded off an impressive display by making absolutely sure of City’s progress in the final minute with a tap-in after Erling Haaland had been denied.
The FA Cup is Premier League champions City’s last chance for silverware this season after stumbling badly in the domestic league and crashing out of the Champions League to Real Madrid.
Plymouth are second-bottom of the Championship but held their own against City with a display every bit as gritty as in their stunning victory over Liverpool.
Earlier on Saturday, Bournemouth defeated Wolves 5-4 on penalties at the Vitality Stadium after the match ended 1-1 in full-time and extra-time.
Crystal Palace eased past Millwall 3-1 at Selhurst Park after the Championship side had goalkeeper Liam Roberts off after just eight minutes for a horror tackle on Jean-Philippe Mateta, while Preston North End stunned fellow second-tier club Burnley 3-0.
FA CUP RESULTS
Manchester City 3-1 Plymouth
Crystal Palace 3-1 Millwall
Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves (5-4 penalties)
Preston 3-0 Burnley
