Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly scored twice to spare his illustrious team-mates’ blushes and deny Championship strugglers Plymouth another famous FA Cup scalp.
For seven glorious minutes, that magnificent, buoyant, vocal 7,800-strong Plymouth support, who made the 560-mile round trip north knowing they would not be back home until the early hours of Sunday morning, dared to dream.
Maksym Talovierov, a 24-year-old January signing from LASK, whose parents live in Ukrainian capital Kyiv, had headed in Matthew Sorinola’s corner and looked to the skies in celebration as Argyle’s fans celebrated.
After knocking out Premier League leaders Liverpool in the previous round, were they about to beat another of English football’s giants?
With a little help from skipper Kevin de Bruyne, O’Reilly decided not.
In first-half stoppage time, De Bruyne, who since his debut in the competition has been involved in more FA Cup goals than anyone else, curled in a brilliant free-kick that O’Reilly headed home.
Then, 14 minutes from time, after Plymouth goalkeeper Conor Hazard had produced a brilliant double save to deny Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva, O’Reilly was on hand at the far post to nod home De Bruyne’s corner.
The goal was a shattering blow for Plymouth, whose hopes were ended in the final minute when De Bruyne turned home Haaland’s low cross from four yards.
The result confirmed City’s status as overwhelming favourites for the game and keeps Pep Guardiola in the hunt for a third victory in a tournament he “loves”.
But the Plymouth fans can take pride in their team’s performance on that long trip home, having backed them to the hilt with their magnificent support.
