Manchester City booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 3-1 comeback win over Plymouth Argyle.
Pep Guardiola made 11 changes ahead of kick-off but it started with a seamless transition for the hosts as they dominated the opening exchanges.
However, it was the visitors who struck first when Maksym Talovierov rose highest to head home a corner in the 38th minute.
But the hosts but they recovered quickly, with Nico O’Reilly equalising just before half-time as he glanced in from Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick.
The second half began with City enjoying plenty of possession and going close through Berardo Silva, Rico Lewis and Erling Haaland, and the pressure paid off in the 78th minute as O’Reilly nodded in for his brace.
And from there it was one-way traffic for the hosts, with De Bruyne sliding in to wrap it up in the 90th minute.
Follow all of the latest from the Etihad Stadium with our live blog below.
Man City vs Plymouth LIVE
- Manchester City take on Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup, with kick-off at 5.45pm | Live on ITV 4
- Plymouth produced a huge cup shock against Liverpool to set up this tie
- 90' GOAL! De Bruyne seals the win from Haaland's cross [MCI 3-1 PLY]
- 78' GOAL! O'Reilly gets his brace after heading in from a corner [MCI 2-1 PLY]
- 45+1' GOAL! Clever O'Reilly header levels the tie [MCI 1-1]
- 38' GOAL! Talovierov rises highest to power in from corner [MCI 0-1 PLY]
Manchester City FC 3 - 1 Plymouth Argyle FC
Muslic reacts
20:13 , Chris WilsonPlymouth boss Muslic says that his side “gave them a game, we made it very difficult, not allowing them a lot in open play”.
“We can only be disappointed with the result, but proud of the performance,” he adds.
“We deserved the lead, we used our chances. We concede with the last action of the first half, but that’s just how it is. We tried right until the end.
On whether the corner for City’s second should have been a goal kick, he says: “These moments are a part of football.”
“This will give us a confident boost. My first message to the team was that I want to stabilise us, it should be hard to play against us.
“We proved this tonight, it will give us a boost for the future,” he says as he finishes.
Guardiola reacts
20:09 , Chris WilsonCity boss Pep Guardiola said that his side “played a good game” today.
It’s not just possession. The possession is for that [chances]. They make our job so difficult, incredibly organised, but we played a good game.
“We concede a goal, but we were so solid,” he adds.
He calls O’Reilly “a different type of academy player, he can play in three or four positions, I’m really pleased for the game he played”.
On De Bruyne, he adds: “He’s maybe one of the three best players in the history of this club, without a doubt.”
On the importance of the FA Cup, he finishes by saying: “We know how important it is. Now we are going to fight, and we’re going to see what happens.”
Maksym Talovierov reacts
19:57 , Chris WilsonPlymouth goalscorer Talovierov says he is “so happy to play here against one of the best teams in the world, against really fantastic players”.
“We’re upset because of the result but I hope our fans are proud.
“We really appreciated our fans, every player, we just tried to do our best.
He adds that his father “sends me a lot of info about the strikers!”, though “we didn’t speak a lot about scoring, but it really helps me a lot!”
He adds that he has not seen his father in around three years due to the situation in Ukraine, saying that “of course, I have a really hard situation, but these few hours per day we have just to focus on the game, well football really helps us to forget it”.
O'Reilly reacts
19:49 , Chris WilsonMan of the match Nico O’Reilly is first to react as he speaks to ITV.
He says that his goal lifted spirits, as “going into half-time at 1-0 would’ve been tough”.
He adds that it’s the first time he’s scored a brace since “back in the academy days”, before calling De Bruyne “an amazing player”.
“He always works 100 per cent and it’s a pleasure to play with him.”
O’Reilly goes on to call the FA Cup “a big competition, and we want to win it”.
“Plymouth were a very good team, very physical, and congratulations to them getting this far,” he adds.
FULL-TIME! Man City 3-1 Plymouth
19:46 , Richard JollyPlymouth exit the FA Cup with some souvenirs, after swapping shirts with Haaland, Foden, Silva and Grealish, many a new admirer and quite a lot of credit in the bank, to add to the financial boost their cup run has provided. City were nowhere near as good as a shot count of 28-1 suggested but they go through.
FULL-TIME! Man City 3-1 Plymouth
19:41 , Chris WilsonThe referee brings the match to an end and City earn a deserved win, but it's a performance that Plymouth will take plenty of heart from.
Man City 3-1 Plymouth
19:38 , Chris Wilson95 mins
And again from City, with Grealish finding De Bruyne who pokes a brilliant cross to the far post before City win a corner. Nothing comes from the set-piece though.
Man City 3-1 Plymouth
19:3793 mins
More chances for City, and they’re almost 1-v-1 from near halfway as Silva picks it up, but he can't find the pass to Grealish.
GOAL! Man City 3-1 Plymouth
19:36 , Chris Wilson91 mins
GOAL! That seals it.
City break and it’s a long ball in-behind for Haaland, who can only shoot straight at Hazard.
Nevertheless, he picks up the rebound and squares it past the ‘keeper for De Bruyne to slide into an empty net.
Man City 2-1 Plymouth
19:34 , Chris Wilson89 mins
Oh, could that have been the moment for Plymouth?
They break forward and Al Hajj is allowed into the box unchallenged, but he can’t quite find the pass and the chance goes begging.
Man City 2-1 Plymouth
19:33 , Chris Wilson86 mins
City are almost in for a third as Grealish finds De Bruyne on the overlap, but his cross is palmed away by Hazard.
Man City 2-1 Plymouth
19:30 , Chris Wilson84 mins
It’s time for Plymouth to take risks now but they aren’t enjoying a lot of possession, and they miss out on a chance as a long throw is cleared.
City are looking comfortable here.
Man City 2-1 Plymouth
19:28 , Chris Wilson81 mins
Changes for both sides as Foden is replaced by Nico Gonzalez, while Sorinola comes off for Plymouth and is replaced by Szűcs.
Grealish almost threads a great through ball into the box, but it’s nicked at the last.
Man City 2-1 Plymouth
19:26 , Richard JollyNico O'Reilly looks an unlikely rescuer for City, a player with one career goal before tonight. But set-pieces may also be their salvation, with goals from a free kick and a corner. Which also shows they are yet to score in open play.
Man City 2-1 Plymouth
19:22 , Chris Wilson77 mins
City scored with their 19th corner in the end. It was no less than they deserved though, with Hazard producing a stunning reflex save from Haaland’s diving header just before the goal.
GOAL! Man City 2-1 Plymouth
19:21 , Chris Wilson76 mins
GOAL! The hosts are ahead!
The pressure finally pays as the in-swinging corner is met by Nico O’Reilly, who fires in another header! Easy for the youngster.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
19:20 , Chris Wilson73 mins
Corner number 16 nearly results in a goal for City as De Bruyne’s in-swinging ball in comes off Puchacz, but no City shirt can convert.
Moments earlier, Lewis has produced a great effort that was blocked in the end.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
19:15 , Chris Wilson70 mins
Another change for Plymouth as Ogbeta makes way for Tymoteusz Puchacz.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
19:14 , Chris Wilson68 mins
CLOSE! Twice in about 20 seconds!
Almost a brilliant goal from De Bruyne as he takes the corner short, and spots Hazard off his line as he receives it back from Grealish. He goes for the disguised shot, but the ‘keeper puts it over.
From the second corner, Foden’s shot is scuffed into the path of Haaland, who hooks over from close range! He’ll feel he should have scored.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
19:12 , Chris Wilson67 mins
O’Reilly’s cross is put behind by Talovierov this time, but the pressure is mounting once again after a couple of breaks in play.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
19:08 , Chris Wilson64 mins
Now Plymouth make some changes, as Bundu, Gyabi and Mumba come off for Michael Baidoo, Jordan Houghton and Rami Al Hajj.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
19:07 , Chris Wilson63 mins
De Bruyne is down after a blow to the head but he should be fine to carry on.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
19:05 , Chris Wilson62 mins
City are really in their rhythm now as Foden opens his body up and tries to curl in from just outside the box, but it flies narrowly wide.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
19:03 , Richard JollyPep Guardiola saw a big, long-haired blond man score earlier and it gave him an idea. On comes Erling Haaland for James McAtee. City have had plenty of shots today but no real penalty-box presence. That may change.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
19:02 , Chris Wilson59 mins
Not a great effort from Lewis this time as he receives the cutback and blazes it over, but De Bruyne was offside earlier on anyway.
A big sub for City now as McAtee comes off for Erling Haaland.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
19:01 , Chris Wilson57 mins
Almost a brilliant goal from Lewis as the ball falls to him in the box and he attempts a scissor-kick that flies narrowly over.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
18:59 , Chris Wilson54 mins
Plenty more pressure from City, with a coupe of crosses requiring last-ditch defending from the visitors.
Foden swings in a corner but it's headed away for now.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
18:56 , Chris Wilson50 mins
CLOSE!
More pressure from City, but it hasn't amounted to anything yet...until now.
It’s worked forward and Gundogan bursts into the box, beating three challenges in the process, before cutting it back to Silva, whose shot is straight at Ortega.
Man City 1-1 Plymouth
18:52 , Chris Wilson47 mins
The second period has begun in a similar manner to how the first ended, with City fizzing a ball across the mouth of the goal, but Foden can’t control.
KICK-OFF! Man City 1-1 Plymouth
18:49 , Chris WilsonThe visitors get the second half underway at the Etihad.
City have brought on Ruben Dias for Nathan Ake.
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-1 Plymouth
18:44It was an entertaining last 10 or so minutes of the first half for a neutral, though much of the opening 35 minutes was dominated by City.
The hosts were quickly in their rhythm but they looked a little pedestrian at times, as has occasionally been the case throughout the season.
Plymouth will have taken plenty of heart from the opening half, but they’ll need to offer more in attack if they want to earn a famous result here.
Ruben Dias is warming up at half-time, and it looks like he’ll come on for Nathan Ake.
The second half is on the way shortly.
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-1 Plymouth
18:36 , Richard JollyPlymouth had eight minutes to enjoy a lead. Given they haven't won away in the Championship all season, it was remarkable that they found themselves ahead at the Etihad (and another sign of City's decline).
It was also a wonderful moment for the giant Maksim Talovyerov, the club record signing who headed in.
The signs of City's vulnerability could encourage Plymouth. The quality of Kevin de Bruyne's delivery helped bring City level.
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-1 Plymouth
18:35 , Chris WilsonShortly after the goal, the referee blows the whistle for half-time, and the two sides go into the break level.
It’s been a one-sided half at the Etihad but Plymouth are still in it, though they may come to regret not holding out until the break.
GOAL! Man City 1-1 Plymouth
18:33 , Chris Wilson45 +1 mins
GOAL! City are level.
Right after that De Bruyne chance, City win a free-kick just outside the area, to the right.
The Belgian swings it in towards the far post and O’Reilly is running across to glance a header towards the far post.
Hazard gets s fingertip to it, but he can’t keep it out!
Man City 0-1 Plymouth
18:31 , Chris Wilson45 mins
Brilliant from both sides as City work it forward and spread it to an overlapping De Bruyne, who rifles a low effort on target that forces a brilliant diving save from Hazard to tip it past the far post.
Man City 0-1 Plymouth
18:2943 mins
It’s been all City since the goal, and they win another corner as De Bruyne’s effort is deflected.
Foden swings it in and Ake gets the header at the near post, but again it’s wide.
Plymouth can’t allow many more of those if they want to stay ahead.
Man City 0-1 Plymouth
18:27 , Chris Wilson41 mis
Almost an instant equaliser for City and Reis should really score, as he rises highest this time but powers his header over from only six yards. Should do better.
GOAL! Man City 0-1 Plymouth
18:25 , Chris Wilson38 mins
GOAL! Oh my word, the Championship side are ahead!
It’s disappointing defending from City, as the corner comes in and Maxi Talovierov is simpy standing there, rising highest to head into the far corner!
It’ a perfectly placed header but he wasn't exactly under a lot of pressure...
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
18:23 , Chris Wilson36 mins
Vitor Reis hasn't had a lot to do today but he gets jeered as he’s unable to control a ball under the challenge from Bundu.
Moments later, Plymouth work half a chance as a low cross from Wright isn’t met by anyone in the area, before Reis does well to put another low cross out for a corner.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
18:21 , Chris Wilson35 mins
Some brilliant defending from the visitors on that occasion as Grealish’s dangerous cross is taken off McAtee’s boot by a sliding Pleguezuelo before Tavolierov cushions a header back to Hazard. Easy.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
18:19 , Chris Wilson32 mins
Despite the hosts’ domination in possession, Plymouth have settled quite well at the Etihad.
They aren’t offering loads in attack but they have dealt with what City have thrown at them in attack so far (with the help of the post on that one occasion).
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
18:17 , Richard JollyIlkay Gundogan is - in theory, anyway - anchoring the midfield but has been City's major attacking threat so far and has just hit the inside of the post with a crisply-struck half-volley.
Gundogan's last FA Cup goals were his brace in the 2023 final, including the strike in 13 seconds to set them on their way to victory over Manchester United.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
18:1528 mins
CLOSE! He should score really.
Great play from City as Grealish and De Bruyne exchange passes before the former’s cross is deflected into the path of the on-running Gundogan. The German hits a first-time effort that looks like it’s curling in but it cannons off the far post!
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
18:12 , Chris Wilson26 mins
City win corner number seven of the match.
It’s aimed for Ake again, but Pleguezuelo does well to head away at the back post.
At the second attempt, the Dutchman goes down under a challenge in the box but it’s waved away.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
18:10 , Chris Wilson24 mins
Some great play from both sides, with Wright exchanging passes in the area but narrowly missing getting the shot away before City counter with a lovely long ball that Foden is inches away from latching onto. A great covering challenge there.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
18:09 , Chris Wilson23 mins
A rare attack for Plymouth as Sorinola and Bundu combine to win a throw in the final third.
It’s the chance for a long throw – but Foden heads it away before Silva clears.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
18:07 , Chris Wilson20 mins
A lovely disguised ball from Grealish ends with De Bruyne winning a corner, before McAtee then does the same.
From the set-piece, Ake gets free at the far post but his header is blocked as it bounces to Hazard.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
18:05 , Chris Wilson18 mins
Plymouth have enjoyed their first spell of any sustained possession in the last few minutes, though nothing came of it in attack.
In the end it ends up in a City attack, with De Bruyne sweeping it wide to Silva, whose cross finds Gundogan about 10 yards out, but the German heads straight at Hazard.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
18:02 , Richard JollyMuch of the noise at the Etihad is coming from the travelling Devonians. Plymouth have got about 8,000 fans with them and their side have made a solid start.
City, meanwhile, have Nico O’Reilly at left-back, with Josko Gvardiol getting a rare night off, and Phil Foden and James McAtee taking turns in attack in a side without a specialist striker.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
18:01 , Chris Wilson15 mins
A rare foray forward for the visitors but really it’s just a long ball forward from Sorinola, and Ake covers well.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
17:59 , Chris Wilson12 mins
There’s a check for a penalty as Silva’s header comes off Pleguezuelo’s arm, but it’s waved away.
From the corner, Gundogan heads wide at the near post.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
17:58 , Chris Wilson11 mins
It’s a first corner of the game as Foden breaks into the box and his touch comes off a defender.
The set-piece is worked to Grealish, but his effort is deflected behind.
At the second attempt, a better corner routine comes and it’s pulled back to Foden, whose low effort comes off Tavolierov.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
17:56 , Chris Wilson9 mins
We’re looking at around 83 per cent possession for City so far, which doesn’t even fully tell the story of the opening 10 minutes.
No chances for either side though, as De Bruyne’s cross goes straight out for a goal kick.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
17:52 , Chris Wilson6 mins
Gundogan sees his pass to De Bruyne go straight out of play, but there are promising signs for City.
The visitors have had most of their men behind the ball for most of the opening six minutes, as you may expect.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
17:50 , Chris Wilson4 mins
And now a sign of what’s probably to come from City, with some lovely touches in the box ending with Grealish seeing his effort blocked from just inside the area.
Man City 0-0 Plymouth
17:482 mins
Some early insight into Plymouth’s gameplan as some good pressure wins the ball back in their half before a long ball goes forward towards Bundu.
There’s too much on this one though, and Ortega collects.
KICK-OFF! Man City 0-0 Plymouth
17:46 , Chris WilsonThe hosts get us underway at the Etihad!
Man City vs Plymouth LIVE
17:40 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are in the tunnel at the Etihad now, so we aren’t far from kick-off in Manchester.
City chasing top four and cup triumph
17:35 , Chris WilsonCity’s only chance of a trophy this season is in this competition, though Pep Guardiola will be desperate to qualify for next season’s Champions League too.
The Cityzens sit in fourth in the Premier League at the moment, one point ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea.
With an exodus of players expected in the summer, a place in Europe’s main cup competition could prove vital as the club looks to rebuild the squad.
Plymouth chasing Championship survival
17:30 , Chris WilsonThis match comes at an important time for the lower-tier side, with Argyle having climbed to 22nd in the Championship since Wayne Rooney left by mutual agreement in December.
The Pilgrims are just three points adrift of 21st-placed Hull City, having won two of their last five matches in the league.
New manager Miron Muslic made a couple of important signings in January, with Maksym Talovierov and Nikola Katic having bolstered the defence. Both were excellent against Liverpool, and Muslic will be hoping for a similar performance today.
Match facts
17:25 , Chris WilsonCity have won their last 18 FA Cup games against sides from a lower division by an aggregate score of 69-9, since losing 1-0 at Wigan Athletic in the 2017-18 fifth round.
Plymouth are looking to become the first team from outside the top-flight to eliminate Premier League opposition in three consecutive rounds since Wigan in 2017-18.
Plymouth's cup history
17:20 , Chris WilsonPlymouth have never won a major trophy, though they won League One as recently as 2022/23 and were in the final of the EFL Trophy that year as well (though they lost to Bolton).
The club’s greatest FA Cup run came in the 1983/84 season, when they reached the semi-finals, having beaten West Brom and Derby in preceding rounds.
In that match, they lost 1-0 to Watford at Villa Park, with the Hornets going on to lose 2-0 to Everton in the final.
Match facts
17:12 , Chris WilsonThis is just the second ever FA Cup meeting between Manchester City and Plymouth, with the Citizens winning a fifth round tie at Maine Road 3-1 in 1987-88 previously.
Plymouth have lost each of their last five meetings with Man City in all competitions.
Argyle have had 44 previous FA Cup ties against top-flight opponents, progressing from just four of these. However, two of those have come this season against Brentford and Liverpool.
Inside the magic of Plymouth’s FA Cup run - and its deeper meaning
17:05 , Chris WilsonAs Plymouth Argyle captain Joe Edwards sits in the club’s Manchester hotel and the excitement builds, he finds there’s suddenly “a little bit more time to think”. There’s certainly a lot to reflect on ahead of an FA Cup fifth-round match against the English champions.
Should Plymouth beat Manchester City, it will not just be another huge upset. It will form an argument for one of the great cup runs, given that the 22nd-placed Championship side have already eliminated Brentford away and Liverpool at home. That has offered a sense of build-up in another way, given that it’s gone from one good Premier League side to the league leaders’ second string, but now a full-strength City away from home in a big evening match.
Inside the magic of Plymouth’s FA Cup run - and its deeper meaning
Team news
16:59 , Chris WilsonPlymouth manager Muslic has made six changes to the team that drew 1-1 against Cardiff City last time out.
In defence, Julio Pleguezuelo comes in for Victor Pálsson, while Bali Mumba and Nathanael Ogbeta come in at wing-back in place of Kornél Szűcs and Tymoteusz Puchacz.
In midfield, Adam Randell and Jordan Houghton drop out in favour of Malachi Boateng and Darko Gyabi, while Matthew Sorinola replaces Rami Al Hajj in the attacking midfield positions.
Team news
16:55 , Richard JollyPlymouth have already achieved something that Manchester City have not: they have beaten Arne Slot's Liverpool. And if some may point out that Plymouth beat a weakened Liverpool side while City lost 2-0 twice to the full-strength team, now it is a second-string City side.
Pep Guardiola has made 11 changes - even if that has enabled him to recall Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden, among others. Plymouth are without the injured Ryan Hardie, their matchwinner against Liverpool.
Line-ups
16:52 , Chris WilsonPlymouth XI: Hazard; Tavolierov, Katic, Pleguezuelo; Mumba, Boateng, Gyabi, Ogbeta; Sorinola, Wright; Bundu.
Subs: Grimshaw, Houghton, Szucs, Edwards, Al Hajj, Puchacz, Baidoo, Roberts, Palsson.
Your fifth-round Greens! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vbTidMTkAw
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) March 1, 2025
Line-ups
16:50 , Chris WilsonMan City XI: Ortega; Lewis, Reis, Ake, O’Reilly, Gundogan, De Bruyne (C), McAtee, Bernardo, Grealish, Foden.
Subs: Ederson, Dias, Marmoush, Haaland, Doku, Nico, Gvardiol, Savinho, Nunes
Lining up for City! 💪🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 1, 2025
XI | Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Reis, Ake, O’Reilly, Gundogan, De Bruyne (C), McAtee, Bernardo, Grealish, Foden
SUBS | Ederson, Dias, Marmoush, Haaland, Doku, Nico, Gvardiol, Savinho, Nunes#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/AkyVBvkyXK
Team news
16:40 , Chris WilsonWith line-ups due to be released in the next 5 minutes, here’s a reminder of the early team news...
Erling Haaland appears to be available for selection again after suffering a knee injury which ruled him out of City’s defeats to Real Madrid and Liverpool but John Stones will likely miss out after being substituted early against Madrid, and Manuel Akanji is also expected to be out well into April.
The squad named against Leyton Orient was a reasonably strong one, but 22-year-old James McAtee was handed a chance to impress in central midfield. 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly may start as Guardiola will be keen to get another look at his latest academy gem.
With Plymouth gaining a reputation as giant killers, though, Guardiola will not want to play things too safe. Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Savinho should all appear on the team sheet.
Pep Guardiola determined to avoid FA Cup upset against ‘tricky’ Plymouth
16:30 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City side any complacency could prove costly as they host Championship strugglers Plymouth in the FA Cup this weekend.
The Pilgrims have already shocked an albeit weakened Liverpool and Brentford in the competition this season and Guardiola does not want to become another high-level casualty as they clash in the fifth round.
City are enduring a difficult campaign by their own lofty standards and, with the Premier League title gone and the Champions League over, the FA Cup represents an opportunity to salvage something from the season.
Pep Guardiola determined to avoid FA Cup upset against ‘tricky’ Plymouth
Head-to-head
16:20 , Chris WilsonThough these sides have met 20 times in the past, their last meeting took place as far back as 1989, when they met in the old Division Two.
Overall, City have won 11 previous meetings, with Plymouth winning five and four ending as draws.
Argyle’s last win against City came in January 1988.
The extraordinary Man City team discarded by short-sighted decisions
16:10 , Chris WilsonAs Manchester City’s 52-match unbeaten run at home came to an end, right-backs provided contrasting images. There was Pedro Porro, putting Tottenham 3-0 up with a fine finish, ensuring there would be no comeback. There was Kyle Walker, who saw Timo Werner scorching past him to set up the fourth.
In a parallel universe, Porro could have been Walker’s successor. He was a City player for three years, albeit in a distinctly modern way: bought from sister club Girona, loaned out and then sold without debuting, he produced another €10m for City in a sell-on clause when Tottenham bought him from Sporting CP.
The extraordinary Man City team discarded by short-sighted decisions
When is the quarter-final draw?
16:00 , Chris WilsonThe draw will take place after the conclusion of the match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday, 2 March.
How can I watch the draw?
The draw will take place live as part of the BBC’s broadcast of the match between United and Fulham. That kicks off at 4.30pm, so the draw could take place around 7.30pm depending on whether the tie goes to extra-time.
FA Cup fifth round fixtures in full
15:50 , Chris WilsonHere is a full list of the fixtures in the fifth round, with Aston Villa having beaten Cardiff yesterday and two fixtures taking place earlier.
Friday, 28 February
Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff
Saturday, 1 March
Crystal Palace 3-1 Millwall
Preston 3-0 Burnley
Bournemouth vs Wolves - 3pm
Man City vs Plymouth Argyle - 5.45pm
Sunday, 2 March
Newcastle vs Brighton - 1.45pm
Man Utd vs Fulham - 4.30pm
Monday, 3 March
Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich Town - 7.30pm
FA Cup finally set to debut semi-automated offside technology in English football
15:40 , Chris WilsonThe FA Cup will welcome semi-automated offside technology for its English football debut.
Seven of the eight fifth-round ties will utilise the groundbreaking technology, which is designed to improve the efficiency of VAR checks.
Premier League stadiums will roll out the technology, however, the Preston vs Burnley tie is the only exception for the fifth round.
FA Cup finally set to debut semi-automated offside technology in English football
Liverpool stunned by Plymouth as quadruple hopes ended by FA Cup shock
15:30 , Chris WilsonHere’s the match report from that famous Plymouth win...
Plymouth produced a huge FA Cup upset as Premier League leaders Liverpool were knocked out by the bottom club in the Championship to end hopes of a historic quadruple.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot gambled with a weakened side in Devon and literally paid the penalty as Ryan Hardie’s second-half spot-kick gave Plymouth a famous 1-0 win and sent them into the fifth round of the competition.
It was only the fourth time that the team starting the day at the top of the Premier League has been eliminated from the FA Cup by a side from outside the top flight.
Liverpool stunned by Plymouth as quadruple hopes ended by FA Cup shock
Giant-killers Plymouth face tough Man City tie as FA Cup fifth round fixtures confirmed
15:15 , Chris WilsonPlymouth's reward for beating Liverpool in the FA Cup is a fifth round tie away to Manchester City.
The Pilgrims dumped the current Premier League leaders out of the competition with a 1-0 win on Sunday thanks to Ryan Hardie's second-half penalty, and will now head to the Etihad Stadium for a last-16 tie against the seven-time Cup winners, who had to come from behind to beat Leyton Orient 2-1 on Saturday.
Holders Manchester United have been drawn at home to Fulham. United beat Leicester 2-1 in controversial circumstances, with Harry Maguire appearing to be in an offside position as he headed in the stoppage-time winner at Old Trafford.
Plymouth face tough Man City tie as FA Cup fifth-round fixtures confirmed
Prediction
15:00 , Chris WilsonWith Manchester City out of the Champions League and unlikely to challenge for the Premier League their last chance at silverware comes in this competition. Pep Guardiola may make some changes but his team will be more than enough to sweep past the Championship side.
Man City 3-0 Plymouth Argyle.
Predicted Line-ups
14:50 , Chris WilsonManchester City XI: Ortega; Lewis, Khusanov, Reis, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Gundogan; Grealish, McAtee, Savinho; Marmoush
Plymouth Argyle XI: Hazard; Talovierov, Katic, Palsson; Sorinola, Randell, Houghton, Puchacz; Wright, Al Hajj, Bundu
Team news
14:45 , Chris WilsonErling Haaland appears to be available for selection again after suffering a knee injury which ruled him out of City’s defeats to Real Madrid and Liverpool but John Stones will likely miss out after being substituted early against Madrid, and Manuel Akanji is also expected to be out well into April.
The squad named against Leyton Orient was a reasonably strong one, but 22-year-old James McAtee was handed a chance to impress in central midfield. 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly may start as Guardiola will be keen to get another look at his latest academy gem.
With Plymouth gaining a reputation as giant killers, though, Guardiola will not want to play things too safe. Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Savinho should all appear on the team sheet.
Is Manchester City vs Plymouth Argyle on TV?
14:35 , Chris WilsonThe FA Cup fifth round clash between Manchester City and Plymoutn Argyle takes place on Saturday 1 March from the Eithad Stadium in Manchester.
How can I watch the match?
The match will be shown on ITV4 and stream live on ITVX, with coverage starting from 5:00pm on Saturday 1 March. The match will kick off at 5:45pm at Home Park.
Man City vs Plymouth LIVE
14:25 , Chris WilsonPlymouth Argyle have been offered another chance to extend their odds-defying FA Cup run as they welcome Pep Guardiola’s struggling Manchester City to Home Park.
Despite sitting 22nd in the Championship the Pilgrims are enjoying a dramatic cup run, having already knocked out two Premier League sides in Brentford and Liverpool.
The Liverpool upset was settled by a 53rd-minute penalty dispatched by Ryan Hardie. Arne Slot’s young Reds were unable to muster the necessary response, forcing a fingertip save from goalkeeper Conor Hazard in injury time.
Manchester City’s FA Cup campaign has not been without drama. Their round four tie away to Leyton Orient got off to a slow start when Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley’s halfway-line shot fell awkwardly, deflecting in off Stefan Ortega’s back. Despite struggling in the league, Guardiola’s squad managed to recover to win.
City’s form is at its worst since Guardiola arrived in 2016. Sitting fifth in the Premier League and 20 points adrift of the top spot, there is no better opportunity for Plymouth to turn them over.
Man City vs Plymouth LIVE
14:15 , Chris WilsonGood afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s FA Cup fifth round tie between Manchester City and Plymouth Argyle.
City come into the game having rediscovered some form, while Plymouth are hoping for a second giant-killing in a row having beaten Liverpool in round four.
And we’ll have all the latest build-up and updates right here.
