Match Report and Player Ratings: Leyton Orient 1-2 Manchester City (FA Cup fourth round) | OneFootball

Manchester City survived a major scare to squeak into the fifth round of this season’s FA Cup at the expense of League One side Leyton Orient.

The Premier League champions were at risk of suffering one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s entire history when they trailed at the half-time interval thanks to Stefan Ortega Moreno’s hugely unfortunate own goal.

But Pep Guardiola opted to turn to the quality on his bench at Brisbane Road and Abdukodir Khusanov and Kevin de Bruyne both scored after being brought on to spare the Blues’ blushes on Saturday afternoon.

The first chance of the game fell Manchester City’s way, as debutant Nico Gonzalez swept a Rodri-esque ball over the Leyton Orient defence for Savinho to lay it up for Ilkay Gundogan, but the German muddled his feet and sent the ball dribbling wide.

The first goal was Orient’s though, with Gonzalez appearing to be fouled in midfield and Jamie Donley seizing on the ball to loft it over Ortega’s head from 40-yards, onto the crossbar, then in off the goalkeeper’s back.

Another of Manchester City’s new signings, Omar Marmoush, also didn’t enjoy his finest afternoon and missed the best chance of the first-half on the stroke of half-time when Orient keeper Josh Keeley spread to deny the Egyptian at close range.

The pressure ramped up on the Orient goal in the second-half, with Ilkay Gundogan firing in a shot which was blocked into the path of Rico Lewis, but the teenager sent his effort over the bar.

A stroke of luck needed to fall City’s way and it did; Lewis received the ball on the edge of the area and let fly, only for the shot to cannon off substitute Abdukodir Khusanov for the Uzbek’s first goal for the club and a fortunate equaliser.

Orient caused Manchester City problems all afternoon though, and Stefan Ortega Moreno was required to prevent a second goal for the hosts through Charlie Kelman. Quality eventually told, as Jack Grealish dinked a quality through ball for Kevin de Bruyne to flick past Keeley.

The difficulty of the afternoon for City was underlined in the last minute as the Premier League champions were given another major fright with Orient captain Daniel Happe’s volley, and they were happy ones when the strike ended up in the stands.

Manchester City survived though and last year’s finalists are now into the hat for the fifth round of the competition, while this is how we rated the players in a narrow victory over Leyton Orient on Saturday afternoon!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Stefan Ortega – 6

Highly unlucky for the ball to deflect off his back for the opener. Made a couple of sharp saves to prevent any further Manchester City embarrassment.

Rico Lewis – 8 (MOTM)

Kept Orient on the back foot all game with his control of the match, and forced the first goal with his shot.

Vitor Reis – 6.5

Seemed confident enough to engage in duels on his Manchester City debut, which were of course forthcoming against lower league opposition. Probably planned that he only featured in the first-half.

Ruben Dias – 6.5

Eased back into his first 45 minutes since injury with very little defending to do.

Nico O’Reilly – 7.5

As against Salford City, looked comfortable out of position at left-back. Showed his willingness to hold the ball and to engage in scraps to get it back.

Nico Gonzalez – 5

Far from the debut anyone would have wanted for City’s newest signing, as he was unfairly robbed of the ball before Orient’s opener and was soon forced off with an injury. Get well soon, Nico!

Ilkay Gundogan – 7

Still isn’t as proficient with winning second balls as he used to be, but he played a big part in helping City controlled the game, and offered threat with a few shots from outside the area.

James McAtee – 6.5

The star man of the last round against Salford, but couldn’t get near those levels of importance today. Linked play on occasion but couldn’t really get involved.

Savinho – 7

Always a threat to the opposition with his willingness to run at defenders. End product wasn’t quite to the level it has been recently.

Omar Marmoush – 6.5

Gave more promising signs that he is what City have been missing with regard to runs in behind and positive movement. Didn’t come off for him today with a few missed chances.

Jack Grealish – 8

A better and more aggressive performance than some of his recent disappointing outings. Assisted the winner impressively.

Substitutes

Bernardo Silva – 7

Doubled down on City’s control by dropping into lots of positions to facilitate the possession.

Abdukodir Khusanov – 7

Much more comfortable than his debut, and with the added confidence boost of a goal, regardless of how it came about.

John Stones – 6.5

Calm at the back and near enough totally untroubled.

Kevin de Bruyne – 7

Injected vibrancy straight away and bagged the winning goal.

Phil Foden – 6

Didn’t have a major influence.