De Bruyne spares Man City blushes at Leyton Orient
Manchester City survived a huge scare to beat third-tier Leyton Orient 2-1 and progress to the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola had to turn to his bench to prevent a monumental shock for the Premier League champions as substitute Kevin De Bruyne scored the winner 11 minutes from time.
Jamie Donley's audacious effort that came back off the bar and rebounded in off City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega had given the League One side an early lead.
Man City recover from one goal down to beat Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road ⚽⏭️#SSFACup | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/vBEqF4wdQH
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 8, 2025
They maintained that advantage until 56 minutes when Rico Lewis' shot deflected in off Abdukodir Khusanov for his first Manchester City goal.
Guardiola threw on Phil Foden and De Bruyne in desperate search of a winner and the veteran Belgian duly delivered.
Kevin De Bruyne breaks Leyton Orient hearts with a deft finish 🇧🇪⭐
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 8, 2025
We are into stoppage time at Brisbane Road ⏱️
📺 Stream #EmiratesFACup on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/Ih6TbRIwvm
De Bruyne prodded in Jack Grealish's forward pass to spare City's blushes from the latest embarrassment of a difficult season.
Guardiola's men sit fourth in the Premier League and narrowly avoided a shock early exit from the Champions League in the group stages.
But they will need to be much improved when the might of Real Madrid come calling to the Etihad in the Champions League play-off round on Tuesday.
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