Kevin de Bruyne spares Man City blushes at Leyton Orient in FA Cup fourth round
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Manchester City substitute Kevin de Bruyne scored the winner in their 2-1 win against Leyton Orient 11 minutes from time.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola did not panic even after conceding a shocking opener to lowly Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round on Feb 8, according to defender Rico Lewis.
The English Premier League champions fought back at Brisbane Road, survived their huge scare to eventually beat their third-tier opponents 2-1 and progress to the next round.
But Guardiola had to turn to his bench to prevent a monumental upset 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 in the first half.
They maintained that advantage until 56 minutes when Lewis’ shot deflected in off Abdukodir Khusanov for his first City goal and the equaliser.
On Guardiola’s half-time message, Lewis said: “He wasn’t going mad or anything like that. It was more that we’d get chances and that we had to keep going. In this kind of environment it’s so easy to let the pressure get to you. He just said to keep our heads and then, when we get our chances, to put them away.
“Credit to Leyton Orient, they made it so difficult for us to play. Sometimes they played with six at the back which is so hard to break down. We all know how tough these games can be, especially away from home.
“I wouldn’t say we doubted ourselves (at 1-0 down) – at the end of the day we’re Man City and we’ve got enough leadership and quality to push us through to the end.”
Guardiola threw on Phil Foden and de Bruyne in desperate search of a winner and the veteran Belgian duly delivered.
The playmaker prodded in Jack Grealish’s forward pass to spare City’s blushes from the latest embarrassment of a difficult season.
At the end, it was a mightily relieved Guardiola who applauded the home fans at full time – Orient were roared on by a capacity 9,000 crowd.
“We played a really good game, it was a typical FA Cup game – that’s why this competition is unbelievable,” the City boss told the BBC.
“We knew that they were strong and they’d run in the channels. They are a really good team and incredibly well managed, but we created a lot of chances. I’m happy to go through.”
City sit fifth in the Premier League and narrowly avoided a shock early exit from the Champions League in the group stage. Following this tight victory, they will need to be much improved when the might of Real Madrid come calling to the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League play-off round on Feb 11.
“The season hasn’t panned out how we wanted it to. Every game now, as long as we win, it could be a great season for us,” added Lewis.
“Everyone does want us to get beat, apart from City fans of course. It’s pressure on our shoulders. (Real) is a huge game, the name itself tells you the story.”
Orient did themselves proud despite the defeat.
“I thought we did well, we knew it’d be really tough. We’re disappointed to lose, but we gave a good account of ourselves and I’m proud of all the boys,” said Donley, who was named player of the match.
“We were delighted to go 1-0 up. It would have been nicer if we’d won, but it’s still a good moment. It was a special day for the club, you could feel it with the crowd.
“They (City) are a top team. They haven’t been doing what they have in recent years, but you can see the quality that they had.” AFP, REUTERS
