Manchester City Survives FA Cup Scare Before Real Madrid \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Manchester City overcame a tough FA Cup test against third-tier Leyton Orient, winning 2-1 before their crucial Champions League playoff against Real Madrid. City fell behind early but fought back with goals from Abdukodir Khusanov and Kevin De Bruyne. Elsewhere, Newcastle edged Birmingham 3-2, while Chelsea suffered a shock elimination to Brighton. Bournemouth, Fulham, and Burnley all progressed, while Leeds was knocked out by Millwall in a weekend full of FA Cup drama.
FA Cup Fifth Round: Quick Looks
- Manchester City battled past Leyton Orient 2-1, coming from behind to win with late goals.
- City’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid looms, demanding a stronger performance.
- Chelsea crashed out of the FA Cup, losing 2-1 to Brighton after taking an early lead.
- Newcastle advanced with a dramatic 3-2 win over Birmingham, needing a late goal to secure victory.
- Bournemouth continued their strong form, beating Everton 2-0 to move into the fifth round.
- Burnley’s defensive streak continued, securing their 10th shutout in 11 games with a 1-0 win over Southampton.
- Rodrigo Muniz fired Fulham into the next round, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Wigan.
- Leeds was eliminated by Millwall, suffering a 2-0 defeat at home.
FA Cup Fifth Round Drama: Deep Look
Man City’s Comeback Win Over Leyton Orient
Ahead of their crucial Champions League playoff against Real Madrid, Manchester City narrowly escaped an FA Cup upset, overcoming third-tier Leyton Orient 2-1.
Pep Guardiola’s side, the four-time defending Premier League champions, trailed 1-0 at halftime, raising concerns about their form just days before their European showdown.
Orient’s Stunning Start
The home crowd at Brisbane Road erupted in the 16th minute when Jamie Donley attempted a stunning long-range shot from beyond midfield. The ball crashed against the crossbar, bounced off City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega’s back, and rolled into the net.
While it was officially recorded as an own-goal, Donley took the credit, celebrating wildly as Orient sensed a potential upset.
City’s Response: Second-Half Revival
Despite City’s dominance in possession, the equalizer didn’t arrive until the 56th minute, when a deflected Rico Lewis shot ricocheted off substitute Abdukodir Khusanov and into the net.
The winning goal came in the 79th minute, when Kevin De Bruyne flicked a precise shot past Leyton Orient’s Josh Keeley to secure victory.
However, Guardiola wasn’t entirely pleased, acknowledging that City’s performance wasn’t up to their usual standards:
“It was impossible to control. We played with character, and we are in the next round, which is always nice.”
Adding to City’s concerns, midfielder Nico Gonzalez suffered an injury just 22 minutes into his debut, putting his availability for upcoming matches in doubt.
Newcastle Survives FA Cup Thriller Against Birmingham
Already set to play in the English League Cup final, Newcastle kept their FA Cup hopes alive with a 3-2 win over Birmingham.
Birmingham’s Bright Start
Birmingham, co-owned by NFL legend Tom Brady, struck first within 60 seconds, with Ethan Laird giving the third-tier side an early lead.
After Newcastle’s Callum Wilson equalized, Birmingham’s Tomoki Iwata unleashed a spectacular long-range goal, restoring their lead and setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
Newcastle’s Late Heroics
The Magpies eventually fought back, with Joe Willock scoring twice, including an 82nd-minute winner, sending Newcastle into the next round.
Chelsea Knocked Out as Brighton Stuns Blues
Chelsea’s inconsistent season took another hit, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton, crashing out of the FA Cup.
Chelsea’s Fast Start Turns Into a Collapse
The Blues struck early, capitalizing on a goalkeeping error from Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen, who accidentally diverted Cole Palmer’s cross into his own net.
However, Brighton quickly responded, with Georginio Rutter equalizing just seven minutes later.
Mitoma Seals Chelsea’s Fate
In the second half, Kaoru Mitoma fired the winning goal, sending Brighton into the fifth round and ending Chelsea’s FA Cup journey.
Bournemouth Continues Strong Form, Everton Falls
Bournemouth’s impressive season continued, securing a 2-0 win over Everton to reach the fifth round.
First-Half Brilliance Seals Victory
- Antoine Semenyo converted a penalty to put Bournemouth ahead.
- Daniel Jebbison doubled the lead before halftime.
Everton hit the post three times in the second half but failed to find a breakthrough.
Burnley’s Defensive Dominance Continues
Burnley’s 10th shutout in 11 matches came in a 1-0 victory over Southampton.
Currently fighting for Premier League promotion, Burnley’s defensive solidity remains unmatched, making them a dangerous side in this FA Cup run.
Rodrigo Muniz Fires Fulham to Victory Over Wigan
FA Cup 2013 champions Wigan, who once defeated Manchester City in the final, pushed Fulham to the limit in a 2-1 defeat.
Muniz Delivers for Fulham
- Rodrigo Muniz scored both goals for Fulham, proving decisive in their victory.
- Jonny Smith briefly equalized for Wigan, but Fulham’s quality shone through.
Wigan, now in the third tier, fought hard but couldn’t repeat their 2013 magic.
Leeds Knocked Out by Millwall in FA Cup Upset
FA Cup shocks continued as Millwall eliminated second-tier leaders Leeds United, securing a 2-0 victory at Elland Road.
Millwall’s disciplined performance ensured that Leeds joined Chelsea on the list of top clubs eliminated this weekend.
What’s Next?
The FA Cup fifth-round draw will determine the next matchups, with clubs like Manchester City, Newcastle, and Brighton still in contention.
For Chelsea and Leeds, this weekend’s losses mark another disappointing exit in a season full of struggles.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will need a massive improvement before they host Real Madrid in a Champions League playoff on Tuesday.
Manchester City Survives Manchester City Survives
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