Manchester City survive early scare to overcome Plymouth

Manchester City are in a period of transition, requiring the new and the old to avoid an FA Cup shock at the hands of Plymouth Argyle. Academy graduate Nico O’Reilly scored two headers before the club’s most-decorated player Kevin De Bruyne ended the resistance.

Plymouth could not have done more as they fought to contain City, even taking a shock lead through Maksym Talovierov but a happy ending never looked likely. The Premier League champions were, however, made to toil by the well-drilled Pilgrims, who will rue conceding from two set-pieces.

Plymouth made it this far thanks to a shock 1-0 win over Premier League leaders Liverpool. On that afternoon they had a mere 25% possession and in the early stages reaching that milestone would be seen as a success. City controlled possession, passing the ball with precision in front of a wall of green, doing what it could to keep the hosts somewhat at bay.

In the opening 15 minutes, City had 87% of the ball but failed to trouble Conor Hazard in the Pilgrims’ goal. Phil Foden had a shot deflected just wide of the post, Ilkay Gündogan flicked a corner over and James McAtee’s lob lacked power allowing the 7,800 fans to enjoy themselves on their 280-mile trip north.

It was not a surprise that most of the action was in the Plymouth box considering they sit second from bottom in the Championship and have conceded 68 in 34 league matches, an impressive average of two per game. Hazard’s first involvement was to get down smartly to save a Gündogan header towards the bottom corner but the goalkeeper was a spectator as he watched McAtee thud a shot off the inside of the post and to safety.

Plymouth required a penalty to defeat Liverpool and they did not give the impression of causing problems from open play. There were a few long throws launched into the box by Julio Pleguezuelo, who must have learned the art at La Masia or in Arsenal’s academy, but they were dealt with comfortably.

Corners, however, were a different matter. In the 38th minute Vitor Reis turned a cross behind, despite Stefan Ortega being behind him and ready to collect. Matthew Sorinola swung the cross to the back post where Talovierov rose highest to head into the corner. Cue pandemonium in the away end, sadly for Plymouth, at the far end of the ground. It was only the third time Argyle had been ahead away from home in all competitions this season.

Taking the lead might have been ill-advised with so much of the game to play. Plymouth were annoyed with themselves when City equalised from a set-piece in first-half injury time. De Bruyne whipped in a free-kick around 30 yards out, academy graduate O’Reilly made a smart run and flicked to the far post, Hazard got a hand to it but it was not sufficient. The celebrations were more muted on this occasion.

Maksym Talovierov gives Plymouth the lead. Photograph: Matt West/REX/Shutterstock

Jack Grealish, a player desperately needing to prove a point amid a forgettable season, started the second half brightly on the left, causing problems but without the end product. It was a constant battle for Plymouth, sapping energy as they kept up with their counterparts but with the knowledge that Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush, Jérémy Doku and Savinho were all waiting on the bench to test tiring legs and minds.

Pep Guardiola was unlikely to have been impressed with the opening 45 minutes and would have demanded an increase in tempo, which was seen in the early stages.

Bernardo Silva almost put City ahead but Hazard blocked his close range shot after a bursting run from Gündogan, a rare sight since his return from Barcelona.

Rico Lewis had two fine chances to equalise from almost the same spot. He first volleyed over from 12 yards out and then whisked a second shot with similar ascendancy. Guardiola felt that was the point to bring on a finisher and Haaland entered the fray to give City a target in the box, although he fluffed his first chance.

City camped inside the Plymouth half almost the entirety of the second half. Haaland and Silva were left to wonder how they did not score as Hazard made two incredible saves. Unfortunately for the goalkeeper, the resulting corner was sent to O’Reilly at the back post to nod home for his second, calming the nerves of the majority.

With stamina diminished, Plymouth had little to offer and the search for an equaliser never began, comprehensively ended by De Bruyne’s late third. City still have a chance of silverware this season and they were made to work to keep the opportunity alive.