Manchester City 3-1 Plymouth Argyle Player Ratings: Man City Book Place in FA Cup QF with Inspiring Second Half Performance

Manchester City booked their place in the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win over Plymouth Argyle at the Etihad Stadium, thanks to a match-winning brace from young make-shift full-back Nico O’Reilly and a goal and assist by captain Kevin De Bruyne. Despite recent struggles in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s side showcased their quality, brushing aside the Championship outfit to keep their hopes of silverware alive.

Plymouth Argyle’s remarkable FA Cup run continued to surprise as they entered the break level with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The Championship side, fresh from their stunning fourth-round upset against Liverpool, showed resilience against the reigning English Top Flight champions. After withstanding relentless City pressure, Miron Muslic’s side took a shock lead in the 38th minute when Matthew Sorinola’s pinpoint corner was met by a towering Talovierov, who rose above James McAtee to head past Stefan Ortega.

However, Pep Guardiola’s side responded just before half-time. Deep into stoppage time, a mistimed challenge on James McAtee handed City a free-kick in a dangerous position. De Bruyne, at the heart of City’s attacking moves, delivered an inch-perfect cross, which 18-year-old Nico O’Reilly met with a glancing header to level the score.

The second half saw relentless City pressure, with Hazard producing a series of fine saves to keep the visitors in the contest. However, City finally broke through in the 76th minute when Phil Foden’s corner found O’Reilly at the far post, and the youngster nodded home his second goal of the match to make it 2-1.

With Plymouth pushing forward in search of an equalizer, gaps began to appear in their defence. In the 90th minute, Ilkay Gundogan’s long ball found Erling Haaland inside the penalty area. The Norwegian’s initial shot was saved by Hazard, but he recovered quickly to set up De Bruyne for an easy tap-in, sealing City’s 3-1 victory.

Here are the player ratings for Manchester City vs Plymouth Argyle FC.

Manchester City Player Ratings

GK- Ortega Moreno- 6.5/10

Ortega had little to do throughout the game but still couldn’t stop Plymouth from taking the lead.

RB- Rico Lewis- 7.2/10

Rico was relentless and made late attacking runs, he also attempted a volley, but couldn’t find the net and skied another great chance.

CB- Vitor Reis – 8/10

A solid debut for the young Brazilian who looked solid at the heart of City’s defence and a threat at set plays.

CB- Nathan Aké- 6.8/10

Had little to do in the first half, Aké seemed a threat during set pieces and put a couple of headers on target as well but picked up a knock while heading a corner around the 40th minute and was substituted at halftime.

LB- Nico O’Reilly- 9/10

Another City Academy product who had a great game, the make-shift full-back enjoyed going forward during attacks and left his mark on the game by scoring the leveller for City right before halftime then scoring again to give City the lead in the second half.

DM- Ilkay Gündogan- 7.8/10

Gündogan was a spark in the City midfield and came close to scoring but saw his effort deflected by the post.

AM- Kevin De Bruyne- 9/10

Pulled the strings in midfield with dangerous set-pieces, assisted Nico O’Reilly’s leveller late in stoppage time of the first half and nearly caught the keeper off guard with a clever shot. Went on to score the decisive third goal to book City’s spot in the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup.

DM- Bernardo Silva- 7.5/10

Silva was involved in multiple attacking moves but was frustrated by Plymouth’s resolute defence.

LW- Jack Grealish- 8/10

Jack Grealish had an underwhelming opening 45 minutes but created several chances from the left and delivered a pinpoint cross that Haaland nearly converted. Looked influential and like a real threat going forward in the second half.

RW- James McAtee- 6.5/10

The City Academy graduate didn’t find his groove in the game and was substituted at the hour mark.

ST- Phil Foden- 8/10

Foden wasn’t effective as a centre forward in the first half and created few chances but was comfortable with the arrival of Erling Haaland in the second half and assisted the second goal for Nico O’Reilly with a beautifully whipped corner.

SUB- Ruben Dias- 7/10

Forced to come on at halftime after Aké’s injury to stabilize the defence and to ensure Plymouth had no further chances.

SUB- Erling Haaland- 7/10

Came off the bench and was a constant aerial threat but was denied by great Plymouth defending, but couldn’t stop him from turning provider for Kevin De Bryune’s goal.

SUB- Nico Gonzalez- NA

MANAGER- Pep Guardiola- 8.5/10

A dominant display by his team, as they kept control of the ball for the majority of the game and showed their class despite recent struggles in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s side showcased their quality, brushing aside the Championship outfit to march on in the FA Cup.

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Plymouth Argyle Player Rating

GK- Conor Hazard- 7.3/10

The Plymouth goalkeeper pulled off multiple crucial saves, including a stunning reflex stop to deny Haaland and Silva, keeping Plymouth in the game.

CB- Maksym Talovierov- 7.3/10

The Ukrainian scored Plymouth’s only goal in the first half but struggled to contain City’s relentless pressure.

CB- Julio Pleguezuelo- 6/10

Made a vital clearance under pressure and defended well against aerial threats, was a constant threat with his long throws.

CB- Nikola Katic- 5.5/10

Put in a brave defensive shift with key blocks, especially frustrating Silva and Haaland.

RM- Bali Mumba- 6/10

Struggled to influence the game before being taken off.

CM- Darko Gyabi- 6.5/10

Another Plymouth player who did not influence the game.

CM- Malachi Boateng- 6/10

The midfielder had no real impact on the game.

LM- Nathanael Ogbeta- 6/10

Had a tough time dealing with Grealish before being substituted.

LW- Callum Wright- 6/10

A few promising runs but largely isolated as Plymouth struggled to create chances.

RW- Matthew Sorinola- 7.3/10

Whipped a great cross to assist Maksym Talovierov, but couldn’t keep up in the second half and was substituted late in the game.

ST- Mustapha Bundu- 6.4/10

Had limited service and was unable to make an impact before being substituted.

SUB- Jordan Houghton- 6.2/10

Brought fresh legs into midfield but couldn’t stop City’s dominance.

SUB- Michael Baidoo- 5.5/10

Substituted in but saw very little of the ball.

SUB- Rami Al Hajj- 6/10

Had little impact after coming on.

SUB- Tymoteusz Puchacz- 5.8/10

Came on to shore up the defence but was put under immense pressure.

SUB- Kornel Szucs- 6/10

Replaced Sorinola but had little opportunity to affect the game, his only weapon was his long throws.

MANAGER- Miron Muslic- 6/10

Plymouth’s fairy-tale cup run came to an end, but not without moments of resilience against the reigning English champions. They fought bravely and defended resolutely, with Hazard, Katic, and Pleguezuelo standing out. Plymouth’s spirited performance won them plaudits.

The Sportsdunia Player of the Match goes to Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly.

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