It took the full 90 minutes, tactical changes, five substitutes, and the introduction of two PFA Players’ Player of the Year winners, but Manchester City eventually triumphed 2-1 over Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round after Orient had led at halftime following an own goal from City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
The match, played at Brisbane Road, saw an impressive performance from Orient, who held their own against the English champions. Their play wasn’t based on chaos or luck but rather on intelligent, composed football, making it a thrilling and evenly matched encounter.
Manchester City, arriving as favorites, made nine changes to the team that lost to Arsenal, with 19-year-old Brazilian Vitor Reis making his debut and Nico González taking up a pivotal role. Despite the changes, City quickly settled into their usual possession-heavy style, although Orient’s early attacks showed their intent. Savinho’s pace on the right wing created problems for the City defense, and Charlie Kelman nearly capitalized on a long pass but saw his shot blocked by Ortega.
The match took an unexpected turn in the 18th minute when Orient opened the scoring. The goal wasn’t a result of scrappy play but of pure skill. After González was dispossessed by Ethan Galbraith, the ball ran loose, and Jamie Donley seized the opportunity. Donley’s long-range shot, a perfectly executed effort, sailed over Ortega’s head and struck the underside of the bar. The ball bounced back off Ortega’s back and into the net, giving Orient a 1-0 lead. The stadium erupted as Donley’s sublime effort became the talking point of the match.
For City, the shock of falling behind was compounded by González’s injury, forcing him off the pitch moments later to be replaced by Bernardo Silva. However, Orient remained disciplined and organized, frustrating City’s attempts to equalize.
City’s pressure mounted, but they struggled to find the finishing touch. Jack Grealish, in particular, had a moment where he could have shot but opted to pass, missing an opportunity to level the score. On the break, Orient remained a threat, with Sonny Perkins shooting just over the bar and Kelman forcing a good save from Ortega. In first-half stoppage time, goalkeeper Keeley made a fantastic save, blocking a close-range shot from Omar Marmoush with his legs and arm, keeping Orient’s lead intact.
At the start of the second half, Pep Guardiola made defensive changes, shifting to a back three. Despite City’s dominance of possession, Orient’s defense held firm, with Keeley continuing to make key saves. However, City’s persistence eventually paid off in the 55th minute when they equalized. A quickly taken corner from Grealish found Rico Lewis, whose shot deflected off a defender into the net, restoring parity.
Orient responded quickly, with Kelman’s powerful shot saved by Ortega and a deflected set-piece almost finding the back of the net. City’s pressure continued, and with De Bruyne introduced in the 78th minute, the game swung in their favor. Grealish played a floated pass into the space behind the defense, and De Bruyne, with typical composure, flicked the ball into the net to give City the lead.
Despite a late surge from Orient, including a couple of half-chances, City held firm and secured the 2-1 win. The result ensured their passage to the fifth round, though Orient’s performance had earned them much respect.
The game encapsulated the unpredictable nature of the FA Cup, where even the smallest teams can test the giants, and Manchester City were made to work for their victory, eventually overcoming Leyton Orient’s spirited challenge.
