AFP- Kevin De Bruyne spared Manchester City’s blushes with a late strike to beat third tier Leyton Orient 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, while Newcastle also came from behind to win 3-2 at Birmingham.
Pep Guardiola’s troubled side were rocked when Jamie Donley’s long-range effort came back off the bar and rebounded in off City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to give Orient an early lead at Brisbane Road.
The English champions finally drew level after 56 minutes when Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov deflected in Rico Lewis’s shot for his first goal since signing for City from Lens in the January transfer window.
Guardiola had to turn to his bench more than he would have liked just four days before a mammoth Champions League play-off round first leg against Real Madrid.
But the introduction of De Bruyne made the difference as the Belgian midfielder scored 11 minutes from time.
“It was a typical FA Cup game, that is why this competition is unbelievable. For the fans, how the crowd support and we knew they are strong,” Guardiola said.
“It is my ninth season in England. I played many times against lower division teams. It was a tight game and we knew it for the situation that we have, but we reacted really well with great character.”
Victory came at a cost for City, though, as new midfielder Nico Gonzalez hobbled off just 22 minutes into his debut after a £50 million ($62 million) move from Porto.
Newcastle were also troubled by third-tier opposition as Birmingham, who are co-owned by NFL legend Tom Brady, led after one minute through Ethan Laird at St. Andrew’s.
A quickfire double from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson turned the tie in Newcastle’s favour, but Tomoki Iwata’s blistering strike levelled before half-time for the League One leaders.
The Magpies, though, rounded off a fine week after reaching the League Cup final on Wednesday as Willock restored their lead on 82 minutes.
Bottom of the Premier League and seemingly destined for relegation, Southampton got no respite in the FA Cup as Burnley won 1-0 at St Mary’s.
Scott Parker’s team went in front after 77 minutes when Marcus Edwards scored from close-range on his debut after signing on loan from Sporting Lisbon.
It is almost 600 minutes since Championship promotion chasers Burnley last conceded a goal, with 10 clean-sheets in their last 11 games.
– Everton eliminated –
What turned out to be the last FA Cup tie at Goodison Park ended in disappointment for Everton, who are moving to a new stadium next season, as Bournemouth cruised to a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Antoine Semenyo and Dan Jebbison.
Rodrigo Muniz scored twice as Fulham won 2-1 at League One Wigan.
Ipswich, second bottom of the Premier League, swept to a 4-1 win against Frank Lampard’s Coventry.
George Hirst’s second minute penalty was quickly cancelled by out Joel Latibeaudiere’s eighth minute equaliser for the second tier hosts.
But Jack Clarke restored Ipswich’s lead in the 28th minute and struck again after 37 minutes before Jaden Philogene’s 63rd minute effort sealed the rout.
Millwall reached the fifth round for the first time since 2018-19 thanks to Femi Azeez’s double in a 2-0 win at Championship leaders Leeds.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke made 10 changes and paid the price as Azeez opened the scoring with a deflected effort from the edge of the area in the 30th minute.
Azeez netted again for the 2004 FA Cup finalists with a fierce drive in the 55th minute before Millwall keeper Liam Roberts saved Pascal Struijk’s penalty.
Chelsea travel to Brighton later on Saturday.
Aston Villa host Tottenham in the pick of Sunday’s action, while Premier League leaders Liverpool visit Plymouth.
AFP
