League One Underdogs Push Premier League Giants to the Brink in Dramatic 2-1 Comeback
In a nail-biting FA Cup fourth-round clash at Gaughan Group Stadium, Manchester City narrowly avoided a shocking upset against League One side Leyton Orient, thanks to a late winner from Kevin De Bruyne. The 2-1 victory was anything but straightforward for Pep Guardiola’s men, who were pushed to their limits by a spirited Orient side.
The underdogs stunned the reigning Premier League champions in the 16th minute when 20-year-old Jamie Donley, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, produced a moment of magic. The young forward unleashed a breathtaking 40-yard lob that sailed over goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, hit the crossbar, and bounced into the net, sending the home fans into raptures. Donley then turned hero at the other end, clearing Bernardo Silva’s close-range effort off the line to ensure Orient held their lead at halftime.
City, despite dominating possession, struggled to break down Orient’s resilient defense. Their equalizer came in fortuitous fashion in the 56th minute when substitute Abdukodir Khusanov inadvertently deflected Rico Lewis’ shot into his own net, marking his first goal for the club.
Orient refused to back down, threatening on the counterattack and from set pieces, but it was City’s star substitute Kevin De Bruyne who ultimately made the difference. With just 12 minutes remaining, the Belgian maestro calmly clipped a precise finish past Orient goalkeeper Josh Keeley to secure the win and spare City’s blushes.
The victory extends Manchester City’s impressive record of 18 unbeaten matches against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup, a run that dates back to their shock defeat to Wigan Athletic in 2018. For Guardiola’s side, the win also serves as a morale boost following their heavy 5-1 defeat to Arsenal in their previous outing.
City, who lifted the FA Cup for the seventh time last year, now advance to the fifth round, with the draw set to take place on Monday. Their attention quickly turns to the UEFA Champions League, where they face Real Madrid in the first leg of their play-off on Tuesday night. Avoiding extra time against Orient will be a relief as they prepare for the European showdown.
Meanwhile, Leyton Orient can hold their heads high after a valiant performance that showcased their determination and quality. They return to League One action on Tuesday, hosting Mansfield Town with renewed confidence after pushing one of the world’s best teams to the brink.
For Manchester City, it was a reminder that in the FA Cup, no opponent can be taken lightly. For Leyton Orient, it was a night that proved dreams can come true—even if only for a moment.
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