The experienced Belgian provided two headed assists for the young prodigy before scoring himself, dashing Argyle’s hopes of a third giant-killing.
Manchester City navigated an FA Cup scare against a determined and tactical Plymouth Argyle, securing a 3-1 victory through the brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne and the rising talent of Nico O’Reilly in a story defined by three set-piece moments.
Plymouth center-back Makysm ‘Maxi’ Talovyerov shocked the Etihad by heading in a powerful goal from a corner to give the visitors an early lead in their fifth-round FA Cup clash. However, 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly equalized just before halftime, nodding home from a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick. The duo combined again in the 76th minute—this time from a corner—to put Pep Guardiola’s side ahead. City sealed the victory when De Bruyne slid in to score a late third, securing their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the eighth time in nine seasons.
This was City’s first meeting with Plymouth since 1989. Despite sitting second-bottom in the Championship, 39 places below City, Argyle have been revitalized since Wayne Rooney’s dismissal at the end of 2024 and the appointment of Miron Muslic. They had already pulled off two major FA Cup upsets, defeating Brentford away in the third round and eliminating Liverpool in the fourth.
Plymouth withstood an early barrage, including Ilkay Gundogan striking the woodwork, before stunning the Etihad by scoring with their first corner and first attempt. Talovyerov—who bears a striking resemblance to Erling Haaland—rose high to head home, sending the 8,000 traveling fans from the southwest coast into euphoria.
City found their equalizer just before halftime when O’Reilly glanced a De Bruyne free-kick past Conor Hazard. The hosts completely dominated the second half, yet Plymouth’s goal seemed protected by an invisible force field as Rico Lewis, substitute Haaland, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva all squandered chances.
Ultimately, it was De Bruyne and O’Reilly who combined again to put City ahead, with De Bruyne capping off a brilliant performance by scoring in stoppage time. The Belgian now has 29 goal involvements in the FA Cup—more than any other player since his debut in the competition in 2016.
Kevin De Bruyne (8/10):
A masterclass performance in the perfect setting. He orchestrated City’s best attacks and played a direct role in every goal. Simply brilliant.