Manchester City survived an FA Cup scare against Leyton Orient as Kevin De Bruyne completed a late comeback at Brisbane Road to book their place in the fifth round.
The League One side threatened a mighty shock against the Premier League champions when Jamie Donley chipped Stefan Ortega from the halfway line, with the ball rebounding off the goalkeeper and into the net.
Pep Guardiola’s side were stunned but they levelled soon after half time when Rico Lewis’ effort deflected in off substitute Abdukodir Khusanov.
It was a fortunate equaliser but the winner from De Bruyne was class, as he took down a long ball and steered a finish past Orient’s Josh Keeley, who until then had kept the champions at bay.
Orient had a couple of late moments, but couldn’t conjure another moment of magic. City will now turn their attention to facing Real Madrid on Tuesday, knowing Orient gave them a proper test.
Follow all the FA Cup action with our live blog below:
Leyton Orient vs Manchester City LIVE
- FULL TIME! Man City come from behind to beat Leyton Orient in classic
- Orient threatened upset but Kevin De Bruyne comes off the bench to score winner
- 79' GOAL! De Bruyne lifts classy finish over Josh Keeley (LEY 1-2 MCI)
- 55' GOAL! Man City level as Lewis strike deflects in off Khusanov (LEY 1-1 MCI)
- 17' GOAL! Jamie Donley chips goalkeeper from just inside halfway line (LEY 1-0 MCI)
Leyton Orient FC 1 - 2 Manchester City FC
Manchester City avoid shock at Leyton Orient thanks to Kevin De Bruyne winner
16:00 , Jamie BraidwoodKevin De Bruyne struck in the 79th minute to spare the blushes of Manchester City and earn them a hard-fought 2-1 victory in a rip-roaring FA Cup fourth-round tie at Leyton Orient.
The League One side went ahead in remarkable fashion after 16 minutes when a 40-yard lob by Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley hit City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and went in to send Brisbane Road into pandemonium.
Pep Guardiola had watched City get thumped 5-1 at Arsenal last Sunday and would have feared more London woe, but substitute Abdukodir Khusanov deflected in Rico Lewis’ strike to level after 56 minutes.
De Bruyne was brought on soon after and poked home with 11 minutes left to break the hearts of the O’s and their Manchester United-supporting boss Richie Wellens, as the Premier League champions progressed into round five.
Manchester City avoid cup shock at Leyton Orient after Kevin De Bruyne winner
Nico Gonzalez suffers injury 22 minutes into Man City debut as Pep Guardiola says ‘welcome to England’
15:59 , Jamie BraidwoodManchester City’s new £49 signing Nico Gonzalez suffered an injury just 22 minutes into his debut at Leyton Orient and is a doubt to face Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The deadline day transfer from Porto, who was bought to fill the hole left by the sidelined Rodri in central midfield, was forced off in the FA Cup tie after landing awkwardly in a challenge.
Gonzalez appeared to hurt his back and was replaced after receiving treatment. To add insult to injury, League One side Leyton Orient scored moments after the challenge when Jamie Donley lobbed Stefan Ortega from the halfway line. City came from behind to win 2-1.
But Gonzalez’s injury is a further headache to Guardiola ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League play-off first leg against Real Madrid at the Etihad. The 23-year-old Spaniard, who Porto bought from Barcelona, would likely have featured against the European champions.
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Nico Gonzalez suffers injury 22 minutes into Man City debut: ‘Welcome to England’
'Leyton Orient made it difficult for us', says Rico Lewis
15:22 , Jamie BraidwoodMan City’s Rico Lewis says Pep Guardiola stayed calm at half time as he discussed his team’s FA Cup comeback at Brisbane Road.
"Credit to Leyton Orient, they made it difficult for us to play. It's easy to say it's tougher than you think but we all know they're tough. The crowd are right up for it.
"The season hasn't panned out how we wanted it to. Every game now, as long as we win, it could be a great season for us.
"Everyone does want us to get beat, apart from City fans of course. it's pressure on our shoulders. Everyone settled their heads at half-time."
'We take this competition incredibly seriously,' says Guardiola
15:09 , Jamie BraidwoodPep Guardiola on being able to bring Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden off the bench to beat Leyton Orient.
“That is why they are here. We take this competition incredibly seriously and we thought it was the best decision to make. I am happy for Kevin's goal, his movement was really good.”
Pep Guardiola on battling to win over Leyton Orient
14:51 , Jamie BraidwoodMan City boss Pep Guardiola says his side’s 2-1 win over Leyton Orient was as difficult as he expected.
“I know the FA Cup,” he told the BBC. “Since we lost to Wigan in 2019, it’s typical of the FA Cup. It’s why we love it, the fans. They are a good team, the bombard the channels. Always in this competition they are good at that. Happy to go through.
“It was really hard but after the fantastic goal they had, we took control of the game and created a lot of chances.”
'It took the big boy to come on and beat us'
14:50 , Jamie BraidwoodLeyton Orient boss Richie Wellens sums up his pride in causing Manchester City problems but says the League One side are disappointed at the nature of the goals they conceded.
He told the BBC: "I'm proud because we created chances, we caused them problems, the atmosphere was brilliant.
“The goals [they scored] are so obvious for us. Their wingers were staying high and wide and causing problems. I'm disappointed with the last goal. At least it took the big boy [De Bruyne] to come on and beat us.”
Leyton Orient goal hero 'proud but disappointed' with FA Cup display
14:36 , Jamie BraidwoodJamie Donley probably scored the goal of this season’s FA Cup today when he lifted his head and tried his luck from the halfway line. Sure, it went in off the Man City goalkeeper, but it’s won him the player of the match award.
He told the BBC: “I know I hit it well. I knew it fell for me nicely. I saw him off his line and luckily it went in. It will be a happy moment. It would have been a lot nicer if we won. It was disappointing we lost but it was a good moment.
“I thought we did well. We knew it would be a really tough game. I thought we made a good account of ourselves. It's disappointing to lose but I'm proud of the boys."
FULL TIME! Leyton Orient 1-2 Man City
14:25 , Jamie BraidwoodIt wasn’t even the goal of the game but Kevin De Bruyne made the impact Pep Guardiola needed as he came off the bench to win the cup tie.
The regret for Josh Keeley, who was super today and throughout the competition, is that he just hesitated a touch in coming off his line. De Bruyne did the rest.
FULL TIME! Leyton Orient 1-2 Man City
14:19 , Jamie BraidwoodThe celebrations from Pep Guardiola at full-time shows that Man City knew they were in a proper FA Cup tie this afternoon.
FULL TIME! Leyton Orient 1-2 Man City
14:12A great FA Cup tie, but Man City survive! The quality off the bench proved the difference as Kevin De Bruyne scored wonderful winner on 79 minutes.
But Pep Guardiola’s side had a real scare and were rocking when Jamie Donley lobbed goalkeeper Stefan Ortega from just inside the halfway line.
Orient did themselves proud but City progress and now turn their attention to facing Real Madrid on Tuesday....
Leyton Orient 1-2 Man City
14:11 , Jamie Braidwood90+2 mins: Another chance for Orient to swing it into the box... Man City are defending desperately but the manage to escape downfield through Marmoush.
Leyton Orient 1-2 Man City
14:09 , Jamie Braidwood89 mins; A late free-kick for Orient... and here comes Keeley into the box...
But it drops to Happe at the back post, it’s a chance, but he can’t keep the volley down!
Four minutes added on!
Leyton Orient 1-2 Man City
14:06 , Jamie Braidwood87 mins: Speaking of, the ball drops to Pratley after a long-throw, but it’s blasted over the bar!
Leyton Orient 1-2 Man City
14:05 , Jamie Braidwood86 mins: So what have Leyton Orient got? It’s only a one-goal game so they are still very much alive. They will look to get it long and will just want one last chance...
GOAL! Leyton Orient 1-2 Man City (DE BRUYNE 79')
13:58 , Jamie BraidwoodIt’s magic from De Bruyne! Man City take the lead in the tie and perhaps have avoided the FA Cup upset.
Pure class from the Belgium and how Man City needed it. A long ball over the top releases him and De Bruyne is able to find the delicate touch required to steer a finish past Keeley and into the net.
Man City have left it late but they have come from behind.
Leyton Orient 1-1 Man City
13:55 , Jamie Braidwood75 mins: But here come Orient! Kelman has been great toady, a proper No 9s performance. He cracks a shot towards Ortega’s near post after creating space in the box. The keeper saves to his left.
Leyton Orient 1-1 Man City
13:51 , Jamie Braidwood72 mins: Oooof. Quite the change for City to make with 20 minutes to go. De Bruyne and Foden are on for O’Reilly and McAtee.
Leyton Orient 1-1 Man City
13:49 , Jamie Braidwood68 mins: The momentum has been with City since half-time but this FA Cup tie is still level. The upset is still very much alive here with 20 minutes to go.
Leyton Orient 1-1 Man City
13:43 , Jamie Braidwood63 mins: SAVE! Keeley has kept Orient in this with his performance in goal. He now gets down low to his left to keep out Gundogan’s placed shot, which was heading for the corner and took a slight deflection.
Leyton Orient 1-1 Man City
13:42 , Jamie Braidwood62 mins; POST! Man City are an inch away from the lead. Marmoush is bundled over in the box but the ball breaks to McAtee, who clips the post with a shot form the outside of his boot.
City wanted a penalty but play was waved on for McAtee.
Leyton Orient 1-1 Man City
13:39 , Jamie Braidwood60 mins: Chance for Orient! It’s their first attempt of the second half but Kelman almost steers in from the near post following a cross from out wide.
GOAL! Leyton Orient 1-1 Man City (KHUSANOV 55')
13:35 , Jamie Braidwood55 mins: Cruel on Orient, Man City are level! Lewis tries his luck from range and it takes a huge deflection, off Khusanov actually, to finally beat the goalkeeper Keeley!
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
13:33 , Jamie Braidwood54 mins: A change for Orient as the veteran Darren Pratley, 39, comes on. The flying winger Jaiyesimi is replaced and Orient have switched to 5-4-1. Backs to the wall indeed.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
13:32 , Jamie Braidwood52 mins: Grealish is starting to offer more menace. The ball breaks to Gundogan outside the box but Simpson makes the block for Orient - they have defended so well up to this point.
But Man City come again - the pressure is certain to be relentless in this second half.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
13:28 , Jamie Braidwood48 mins: Gundogan tries to pick out Silva with the long pass, but the Portuguese can’t bring it down.
At the other end, Khusanov is immediately called into action as Galbraith crosses low! Khusanov had to poke clear.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
13:25 , Jamie Braidwood46 mins: We’re back underway! Guardiola also has De Bruyne and Foden on his bench, but no Erling Haaland.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
13:24 , Jamie BraidwoodTwo changes at the break for Manchester City! Not what Pep Guardiola wanted ahead of facing Real Madrid on Tuesday, he is bringing on John Stones and Abdukodir Khusanov, with Reis and Dias off.
A double change at centre-back.
HALF TIME! Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
13:17 , Jamie BraidwoodWe knew Man City were vulnerable - but surely no one actually believed the FA Cup shock was on today.
Thinking for Pep Guardiola to do at half-time.
HALF TIME! Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
13:09 , Jamie BraidwoodIncredible. Leyton Orient are halfway there and will now start to believe. They lead Manchester City and Pep Guardiola thanks to an outrageous moment from the on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jamie Donley. It goes down as an own goal from goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, but Donley inspired it by trying his luck from the halfway.
A massive FA Cup story is brewing.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
13:07 , Jamie Braidwood45+5 mins: Ah this is great fun. The ball breaks to Donley and he hits it first-time on the half-volley. It flies through a host of bodies, taking a deflection, and forces Ortega into the save.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
13:06 , Jamie Braidwood45+3 mins: SAVE! Keeley keeps Orient in front! Savinho sweeps in a lovely cross with the outside of his foot and finds Marmoush crashing the box. But Marmoush can’t beat Keeley and the keeper saves with his legs!
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
13:05 , Jamie Braidwood45+2 mins: Brilliant defending from the right back James to nick the ball away from Marmoush on the break.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
13:02 , Jamie Braidwood45 mins: If Orient get through to half-time the belief around Brisbane Road will swell.
But there’s six additional minutes to come!
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
13:00 , Jamie Braidwood42 mins: It’s Orient’s turn to threaten as the ball over the top once again catches City sleeping. Kelman brings it down but Perkins can’t hit the target from the pull-back.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
12:58 , Jamie Braidwood40 mins: Savinho makes a brilliant run from deep but can’t bring the ball down in time to get a shot at goal, as Orient throw the bodies in the way.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
12:57 , Jamie Braidwood39 mins: Save! More testing moments for Orient as Keeley punches clear and then Savinho blazes over on the half-volley.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
12:56 , Jamie Braidwood39 mins: Save! More testing moments for Orient as Keeley punches clear and then Savinho blazes over on the half-volley.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
12:54 , Jamie Braidwood36 mins: OFF THE LINE! Orient stay alive! It’s the closest City have come as Grealish picks out Silva at the back post.
But it’s the man of the moment, Donley, who is there again to clear off the line!
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
12:52 , Jamie Braidwood33 mins: Keeley is back up and Orient have successfully chalked a couple of minutes off the clock.
City will look to rebuild that pressure before half-time. Big test for Orient to hold on until then.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
12:48 , Jamie Braidwood31 mins: City win a corner and Ruben Dias rises highest in the box. Keeley makes the save, but the Orient keep stays down holding his leg.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
12:46 , Jamie Braidwood28 mins: City have been properly stunned by that Donley goal (which technically has gone down as an Ortega own goal).
Grealish. though, sets up Bernardo in the box but his shot is blocked. Orient can’t afford to drop too deep just yet.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
12:43 , Jamie BraidwoodA goal from the halfway line against the Premier League champions? The stuff of fantasy for Jamie Donley.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
12:39 , Jamie Braidwood21 mins: Nico lasts just 21 minutes and he is replaced by Bernardo Silva.
Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
12:37 , Jamie Braidwood20 mins: Orient turned the ball over by winning it back from City debutant Gonzalez on halfway. City were furious that it wasn’t a foul and now the new signing is down injured. Not the debut he would have dreamed of.
GOAL! Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City (DONLEY 18')
12:35 , Jamie BraidwoodLeyton Orient lead with a goal for the ages! The ball breaks to Jamie Donley, just inside the City half. He looks up and spots Ortega off his line, so hangs up a shot from 50 yards that is dropping under the bar. Ortega, scrambling back, can’t keep it out, and it crashes in!
The goal of his life!
GOAL! Leyton Orient 1-0 Man City
12:33 , Jamie BraidwoodTHE MOST EXTRAORDINARY GOAL YOU WILL SEE! JAMIE DONLEY WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!!!!!!
Leyton Orient 0-0 Man City
12:31 , Jamie Braidwood14 mins: CHANCE FOR ORIENT! They are causing City problems with the long ball and suddenly Kelman is bundling through on goal. He can’t bring it under control after beating Reis, and the heavy touch makes it easy for Ortega.
Leyton Orient 0-0 Man City
12:30 , Jamie Braidwood12 mins: City are dominating possession - perhaps as expected. Orient hanging on during this spell, but buy themselves some relief as Nico fouls Jaiyesimi.
Leyton Orient 0-0 Man City
12:27 , Jamie Braidwood9 mins: CHANCE! Should be 1-0 City. Nico picks out a lovely ball over the top to find Savinho, who squares to Gundogan. But the German can’t sort his foot out and drags wide! Nice move, bad miss.
Leyton Orient 0-0 Man City
12:24 , Jamie Braidwood7 mins: Orient clear a couple of corners from the left, with crosses from Gundogan and Marmoush blocked. City have started to get their foot on the ball with Nico dropping into the Rodri role at the base of midfield.
Leyton Orient 0-0 Man City
12:22 , Jamie Braidwood5 mins: GOALMOUTH SCRAMBLE! Easy for Orient as they play long and turn City. The low ball almost catches out Reis and there’s a moment where City appear to panic in the six yard box. But then there’s a foul and City can clear.
Leyton Orient 0-0 Man City
12:20 , Jamie Braidwood4 mins: Jeers for Grealish as he cuts into the box but drags wide. This is his first start since the last round, when City hammered Salford 8-0.
Leyton Orient 0-0 Man City
12:19 , Jamie Braidwood2 mins: A bit of space for Jaiyesimi down the left, as the long ball catches out Lewis. Jaiyesimi can’t deliver and Lewis makes the recovery challenge in the box.
Leyton Orient 0-0 Man City
12:18 , Jamie Braidwood1 min: Welcome to English football, Vitor Reis. The 19-year-old centre back heads clear and Leyton Orient chuck it into the box with a long throw. City clear.
KICK-OFF! Leyton Orient 0-0 Man City
12:16 , Jamie BraidwoodUnderway in the east London drizzle and February chill.
Leyton Orient need a fast start in front of their fans!
Leyton Orient vs Man City
12:14 , Jamie BraidwoodHere we go! The players are coming out onto the pitch at Brisbane Road. Plenty of twirling red and white scarves in the stands, along with some tin-foil FA Cups.
It’s Real Madrid for Man City on Tuesday, but first they must look to return to winning ways against Leyton Orient. Could a famous FA Cup shock be on?
Leyton Orient vs Man City
12:13 , Jamie BraidwoodThis fixture is being shown free-to-air on BBC One in the UK, with subscribers also able to stream online via BBC iPlayer.
Several more games are also live on TV across the FA Cup weekend.
Why is there no VAR in the FA Cup fourth round?
12:12 , Jamie BraidwoodAs a reminder, there is no VAR in place today, with the extra officials and accompanying technology will only be in place from the fifth round onwards.
Leicester were left frustrated at the end of their Cup tie with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Friday night, after Harry Maguire scored a winning goal from an offside position which would have been chalked off in the Premier League, but which was allowed to stand due to the FA’s rules.
Leyton Orient vs Man City
12:11 , Jamie BraidwoodFormer Man City defender Micah Richards says this is their “biggest game of the season”, with Pep Guardiola’s side struggling in the Premier League and facing a long shot of winning the Champions League.
The FA Cup looks to be their best chance of winning silverware this season.
Leyton Orient vs Man City
12:08 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Leyton Orient chairman and co-owner Nigel Travis todl the Today Programme that the club were close to going out of business in 2017, when the Os were languishing in the National League. Now, they’re flying high in League One and are hosting the Premier League champions Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round.
An afternoon to remember for the hosts in east London.
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Man City's run of fixtures
12:03 , Jamie BraidwoodManchester City’s trip to Leyton Orient comes amid a brutal run of games for Pep Guardiola’s team, which started with a 5-1 hammering at Arsenal last weekend. With Real Madrid to come in the week, are the champions primed for an upset?
2 Feb: 5-1 Arsenal (away) - PL
8 Feb: vs Leyton Orient (away) - FA
11 Feb: vs Real Madrid (away)- CL
15 Feb: vs Newcastle (home) - PL
19 Feb: vs Real Madrid (home) - CL
23 Feb: vs Liverpool (home) - PL
26 Feb: vs Tottenham (away) - PL
Richie Wellens tried to contact Ange Postecoglou after mocking Tottenham boss
11:52 , Jamie BraidwoodLeyton Orient boss Richie Wellens was caught up in a bit of a storm last week after having to apologise to Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou over some “deeply embarrassing” comments.
Wellens revealed he tried to contact Postecoglou after referencing the beleaguered Tottenham boss following his side’s defeat by Stockport. Asked in a post-match interview whether injuries had played a part in the loss, Wellens said: “I’m not going to make excuses, I’m not Ange Postecoglou.”
Wellens subsequently released a statement apologising for his comments, saying he was “deeply embarrassed”.
Richie Wellens tried to contact Ange Postecoglou after mocking Tottenham boss
Jamie Donley vows to rattle Manchester City as Leyton Orient dream of cup shock
11:36 , Jamie BraidwoodJamie Donley managed only two touches when he faced Manchester City last season but is ready to help Leyton Orient try to produce an almighty FA Cup upset on Saturday.
City’s trip to the high-flying League One club is one of the most eye-catching fourth-round fixtures, with Pep Guardiola’s faltering side forced to return to London six days after being thrashed 5-1 by Arsenal.
Tottenham loanee Donley made his professional debut as a late substitute in Spurs’ 3-3 draw at the Etihad Stadium during the 2023-24 campaign and the 20-year-old cannot wait to pit his wits against Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland again.
Jamie Donley vows to rattle Manchester City as Leyton Orient dream of cup shock
Leyton Orient also ring the changes
11:31 , Jamie BraidwoodLeyton Orient make five changes from the 1-0 defeat against Stockport. On-loan Tottenham man Jamie Donley starts in midfield with Dan Happe the captain in defence.
No Erling Haaland in Man City squad ahead of Real Madrid game
11:28 , Jamie BraidwoodThose Leyton Orient fans hoping to see Erling Haaland at Brisbane Road will be disappointed. The striker is not in the squad ahead of Tuesday’s game against Real Madrid. Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne are there in reserve, though.
New signings Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez both make first Man City starts
11:25 , Jamie BraidwoodThe big news for Manchester City is new signings Nco Gonzalez and Vitor Reis start. Gonzalez was a £50m arrival from Porto on deadline day and goes into midfield, where Pep Guardiola has desperately missed Rodri this season.
Reis was signed earlier in the window and the 19-year-old comes into the heart of defence alongside Ruben Dias. Elsewhere, there’s a start for Jack Grealish and Stefan Ortega remains in goal, with no Ederson in the squad.
Leyton Orient vs Man City team news and line-ups
11:18 , Jamie BraidwoodLeyton Orient XI: Keeley; James, Simpson, Happe, Currie; Galbraith, Brown; Perkins, Donley, Jaiyesimi; Kelman
Subs: Phillips, Sweeney, Cooper, Agyei, Ball, Pratley, Obiero, Carter, Markanday
Manchester City XI: Ortega; Lewis, Reis, Dias, O'Reilly; Nico, Gundogan, McAtee; Savinho, Grealish, Marmoush
Subs: Carson, Stones, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Akanji, Nunes, Khusanov, Foden, Mubama
Leyton Orient vs Man City team news
11:09 , Jamie BraidwoodWe’ll have team news and line-ups from Brisbane Road in the next few minutes.
Pep Guardiola focused on FA Cup progress
11:08 , Jamie BraidwoodPep Guardiola insists Manchester City’s main focus this week has been Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Leyton Orient.
The first leg of City’s Champions League last-16 tie against holders and record 15-time winners Real Madrid is now starting to loom large.
Guardiola said: “Tomorrow we play early, 1230, and after the game we will come back here to Manchester and we will have time to start to talk.
“Of course I had an eye (on the game) against Madrid but Leyton deserve my attention.
“It’s always been like that, otherwise we don’t get to the amount of semi-finals and finals of cups we have in the last five or six years.
“I am concerned and focused on Leyton. Always we have had problems away in this competition – FA Cup or Carabao Cup – even against teams in League One and Two.
“Always we struggle but we are ready for the challenge. Every game is a new opportunity.”
Man City include Rodri in Champions League squad but omit one new signing
10:53 , Jamie BraidwoodManchester City have omitted their £29m signing Vitor Reis from their Champions League squad for the knockout phase.
The Brazilian defender, who was bought from Palmeiras in January, will not be eligible to face Real Madrid in the play-off round or, if City progress, in any future European matches this season.
City chose to register fellow new recruits Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov instead in the list they gave to Uefa.
It also includes the injured Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, though the Spaniard could miss the rest of the season as he recovers from a cruciate ligament injury.
Man City include Rodri in Champions League squad but omit one new signing
Man City ramp up war against Premier League with fresh legal challenge
10:33 , Jamie BraidwoodManchester City have launched a fresh legal challenge against the Premier League over its rules governing commercial deals linked to a club's owners.
City are contesting amendments made to the associated party transaction (APT) rules voted through by top-flight clubs last November, changes which were themselves forced on the league by an earlier legal challenge by the reigning champions.
It means there are now three live legal cases between City and the Premier League – one covering more than 100 charges against City for alleged breaches of the league's financial rules, which the club have always strenuously denied, the initial APT challenge and now the new challenge.
The APT rules seek to ensure deals struck between clubs and entities linked to the club's owners are done at fair market value.
Man City ramp up war against Premier League with fresh legal challenge
Pep Guardiola expects outcome on Man City’s 115 charges ‘in a month’
10:13 , Jamie BraidwoodPep Guardiola revealed Manchester City expects to learn the outcome of a hearing into alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules “in one month”.
A transfer embargo is one of a number of sanctions they could face if found guilty, ranging from a fine to points deductions or even demotion. The club deny wrongdoing.
“In one month I think there will be a verdict and a sentence and after we will see my opinion of what happened so far. Still, at the end, every club can do whatever they want.”
Pep Guardiola denies Man City signings were made in case of transfer embargo
09:48 , Jamie BraidwoodPep Guardiola has dismissed suggestions Manchester City’s January spending spree was a pre-emptive strike against a possible future transfer embargo.
City made their first serious moves in a winter transfer window since signing Aymeric Laporte in 2018 as they splashed out £170million on Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez before Monday’s deadline.
This has been widely interpreted as a response to an underwhelming first half of the season in which City have fallen behind in the Premier League title race and only just scraped into the Champions League play-offs.
Pep Guardiola denies Man City signings were made in case of transfer embargo
Odds and prediction
09:29 , Jamie BraidwoodOdds
Leyton Orient to win – 17/1
Draw – 13/2
Man City to win – 1/12
Prediction
Manchester City will make a lot of changes in personnel but they will have more than enough quality to defeat the League One side. City’s last FA Cup match ended in an 8-0 win over Salford. They will probably score a lot of goals again but not quite to the same tally.
Leyton Orient 0-5 Man City.
What is the team news?
09:27 , Jamie BraidwoodFor Man City, Ederson and Oscar Bobb will be assessed before the game and could feature. Pep Guardiola is expected to make changes with the likes of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis in contention to start. Rodri, Jeremy Doku, Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias all set to remain sidelined.
What is the team news?
09:25 , Jamie BraidwoodLeyton Orient may be without right-back Sean Clare and centre-back Omar Beckles due to injury though both will be assessed before the game. Jordan Graham, Dan Agyei, Jack Simpson and Ollie O'Neill are also in the treatment room. Brandon Cooper will likely start alongside Dan Happe at the heart of defence, although deadline day signing Rarmani Edmonds-Green is another centre-back option at Richie Wellens's disposal.
When is Leyton Orient vs Man City?
09:23 , Jamie BraidwoodThe FA Cup fixture will kick off at 12.15pm GMT on Saturday 8 February at Brisbane Road.
What TV channel is it on?
This fixture will be shown free-to-air on BBC One in the UK, with subscribers also able to stream online via BBC iPlayer. Coverage begins at 12pm.
Good morning
09:22 , Jamie BraidwoodLeyton Orient are set for a blockbuster FA Cup fourth round tie when they welcome the Premier League champions Manchester City to Brisbane Road on Saturday.
The O’s have had a fine competition so far beating National League sides Boreham Wood, in a penalty shootout during the first round, and Oldham Athletic, in the second, before another penalty shootout victory took them past Championship side Derby County. Now they face their biggest test against Pep Guardiola’s side and will need some of the FA Cup magic to help them go through.
Man City will not be kind to the lower league club. They are hurting after a 5-1 humiliation by Arsenal last weekend and will need a strong showing to boost morale. The FA Cup is a competition Guardiola’s side can certainly win and their struggles in the Premier League may mean a more determined focus is given to winning silverware in the cup competitions instead.
