Man City survive Plymouth scare, Palace’s Mateta hospitalized in Millwall win
MANCHESTER: Manchester City survived a scare to beat giant killers Plymouth 3-1 and progress to the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, after Crystal Palace striker Jean Philippe-Mateta was hospitalized in the Eagles’ 3-1 win over Millwall. Plymouth had shocked Premier League leaders Liverpool in the previous round and were on course for another stunning upset at the Etihad when Maksym Talovierov headed them in front on 38 minutes. Argyle boss Miron Muslic said it would be the “biggest honor” of his life to go head-to-head with Pep Guardiola. With FA Cup glory City’s only realistic hope of silverware this season, Guardiola surprisingly rotated his side with Erling Haaland among those left on the bench. However, it was one of City’s youngsters who took his chance to shine as Nico O’Reilly turned the tie around. Muslic will be furious at the manner of both the 19-year-old’s goals as he twice headed in from set-pieces under little pressure. O’Reilly’s equalizer just before half-time calmed City’s nerves before he powered in Phil Foden’s corner 14 minutes from time. By that point Guardiola had summoned Haaland off the bench and he teed up the third for Kevin De Bruyne in stoppage time. “Big compliments to Plymouth for making our job so difficult.
