Orient gives Man City a scare

AP:

AHEAD OF a Champions League play-off against Real Madrid, Manchester City survived a scare at third-tier Leyton Orient to advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

City host Madrid on Tuesday in the first of a two-legged play-off. And, while Pep Guardiola’s team eventually fought back to win 2-1 against Orient on Saturday, it will likely need a much-improved performance to overcome Champions League holders Madrid.

Orient threatened to pull off a famous upset when they led 1-0 at half-time against Guardiola’s four-time defending Premier League champions.

It took goals from substitutes Abdukodir Khusanov and Kevin De Bruyne to secure victory for City at Brisbane Road.

“It was impossible to control,” Guardiola said. ”We played with character and we are in the next round, and it’s always nice.”

Orient went ahead in spectacular fashion when Jamie Donley’s shot from just past the halfway line hit the bar and rebounded off the back of City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega in the 16th minute.

It was officially credited as an own-goal, but Donley took the congratulations as he celebrated wildly in front of the home fans. He was also rewarded with the player-of-the-match award.

But the goal wasn’t enough to hold off City’s fightback.

Rico Lewis’ effort deflected off Khusanov in the 56th to level the match and De Bruyne flicked a shot past Josh Keeley in the 79th to seal victory.

Nico Gonzalez injured

It wasn’t all good news for Guardiola, however, with US$61.8-million midfielder Nico Gonzalez injured and substituted after 22 minutes of his debut.

Already in the final of the English League Cup, Newcastle advanced in the FA Cup with a 3-2 win against Birmingham.

But, like Man City, it was another case of a top-flight team being pushed to the limit by third-tier opposition.

League One leaders Birmingham, part-owned by NFL great Tom Brady, took the lead inside a minute at St. Andrew’s through Ethan Laird. A stunning long-range goal from Birmingham’s Tomoki Iwata pulled the game back to 2-2 before halftime.

Newcastle had to wait until the 82nd to regain the advantage when Joe Willock scored his second of the game. Callum Wilson was also on target for the visitors.

Eight-time winners Chelsea were dumped out of the cup by Brighton - losing 2-1 despite going ahead inside five minutes at AMEX Stadium.

Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made a mess of Cole Palmer’s cross and diverted into his own net to give Chelsea the perfect start.

But the home side powered back, with Georginio Rutter equalising seven minutes later and Kaoru Mitoma firing in the winner in the second half.

Flying high in the Premier League, Bournemouth were also through to the fifth-round of the cup after a 2-0 victory over Everton.

Antoine Semenyo’s penalty and a goal for Daniel Jebbison put Bournemouth on course for the next round by halftime at Goodison Park.

Everton hit the post three times in the second half as David Moyes’ team mounted a fightback, but couldn’t find a way through.

Yesterday’s FA Cup Results

Leyton Orient 1-2 Man City

Leeds 0-2 Millwall

Coventry 1-4 Ipswich

Preston 0-0 Wycombe

Stoke 3-3 Cadiff (2-4)

Southampton 0-1 Burnley

Everton 0-2 Bournemouth

Wigan 1-2 Fulham

Birmingham 2–3 Newcastle

Brighton 2–1 Chelsea