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.
2024/2025 FA Cup
3-1
Match Report
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.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
4' Grealish's shot is blocked by the defender
9' Match Event for Man City vs Plymouth Argyle
12' Foden's low shot is deflected just wide
13' Penalty appeal with Bernardo's header strike Pleguezuelo's arm, but ref says no
14' Gundogan's header following the corner is just high
18' Gundogan's header is saved as Bernardo delivers a cross
28' A ball runs loose to Gundogan and his shot strikes the inside of the post
38' Taloverov rise and plant his header in the corner! Man City 0-1 Plymouth Argyle
41' Reis wins the header but it is just wide
43' Kevin De Bruyne finds some space but his low shot is tipped just wide by Hazard
46' De Bruyne whips in free-kick and O'Reilly scores! Man City 1-1 Plymouth Argyle
46' Ruben Dias replaces Nathan Ake
48' It looks like Erling Haaland is getting ready to come on
51' Bernardo's effort is kept out by Hazard diving at his feet
56' Rico Lewis's spectacular volley is inches over the bar
58' Rico stabs a shot over the bar but the referee's assistant gives offside
59' Haaland replaces James McAtee
63' Kevin De Bruyne takes a painful blow to the head
68' De Bruyne one-twos with Grealish and fires a vicious strike that is tipped over
69' Haaland's shot in the box is high
76' O'Reilly nets double and puts City in lead! Man City 2-1 Plymouth Argyle
78' Match Event for Man City vs Plymouth Argyle
90' Haaland picks out De Bruyne to slide home the third! City 3-1 Plymouth Argyle
Line-ups
Man City XI: Gundogan, De Bruyne, Ortega, Ake, Grealish, Bernardo Silva, Foden, McAtee, Lewis, Nico O'Reilly, Vitor Reis
Subs: Ederson, Ruben Dias, Haaland, Omar Marmoush, Matheus Nunes, Nico González, Doku, Gvardiol, Savinho
Plymouth Argyle XI: Julio Pleguezuelo, Conor Hazard, Nikola Katic, Mustapha Bundu, Callum Wright, Bali Mumba, Nathanael Ogbeta, Maksym Taloverov, Matthew Sorinola, Darko Gyabi, Malachi Boateng
Subs: Joe Edwards, Victor Pálsson, Jordan Houghton, Tymoteusz Puchacz, Michael Baidoo, Grimshaw, Rami Al Hajj, Kornél Szűcs, Caleb Roberts