‘My chairman is NOT going to SACK me!’ Guardiola enjoys FA Cup experience at Leyton Orient | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola needed a moment of magic from Kevin De Bruyne to see off plucky Leyton Orient and progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Jamie Donley, on loan at Orient from Tottenham, had given City a mighty scare with a spectacular strike from long range that flew in off the back of keeper Stefan Ortega in the 16th minute to give the League One side an unlikely half-time lead.

But City equalised shortly after the break when a long shot deflected off Abdukadir Khusanov and past Orient keeper Josh Keeley. And in the closing stages Jack Grealish played in De Bruyne, who produced a deft touch to clip the ball past Keeley for City’s winner.

Guardiola was full of praise afterwards for Orient, who had late chances to take the game into extra time.

“They were fantastic. I have played many times against lower division teams in this incredible competition, the vibe, the smell, the crowd. You get things in these games that you don’t get in any other country,” said the City manager, who reminded his players that they had all started out in similarly humble surroundings.

“We all came from places like this, with tiny dressing rooms, not-so-perfect pitches, and a passionate crowd.  They were singing ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ at me, which was not so enjoyable.  With this result my chairman is not going to sack me, I’m sure!”

Guardiola singled out Donley for praise, after the 20-year-old spotted Ortega off his line. “What a goal. It was a fantastic shot, the flight, the speed, the technical quality. I can only congratulate Donley for a fantastic goal.”

Orient manager Richie Wellens said he would not be able to get Donley for another season on loan, and believes the youngster is destined for the top.

“Unless we get promoted to the Championship, there is no way we will get him back next year.

“The plan for Jamie was to come here and develop, become a man, and then go back to Tottenham and maybe get into their first team. If not, he’ll probably go on loan to a Championship club.”

Wellens was proud of his players, who were not overawed by the reigning Premier League champions.

“I’m pleased with the passion, intensity and quality we showed.  At 1-0 we had a couple of chances which didn’t quite go in, and even at the end we should have equalised. It was a proud day for the club.”