Man City survive Plymouth scare, Palace鈥檚 Mateta hospitalized in Millwall win

Manchester City鈥檚 English midfielder Nico O鈥橰eilly celebrates scoring the team鈥檚 second goal during their English FA Cup fifth round match against Plymouth Argyle at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, on Mar. 1, 2025. (AFP)
Short Url
  • Plymouth had shocked Premier League leaders Liverpool in the previous round
  • 鈥淏ig compliments to Plymouth for making our job so difficult. They were incredibly organized, but we played a good game,鈥� said Guardiola

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鈥� 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 鈥渂iggest honor鈥� of his life to go head-to-head with Pep Guardiola.
With FA Cup glory City鈥檚 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鈥檚 youngsters who took his chance to shine as Nico O鈥橰eilly turned the tie around.
Muslic will be furious at the manner of both the 19-year-old鈥檚 goals as he twice headed in from set-pieces under little pressure.
O鈥橰eilly鈥檚 equalizer just before half-time calmed City鈥檚 nerves before he powered in Phil Foden鈥檚 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.
鈥淏ig compliments to Plymouth for making our job so difficult. They were incredibly organized, but we played a good game,鈥� said Guardiola.
Palace鈥檚 progress into the last eight came at a cost as Mateta was stretchered off the field straight into an ambulance and taken to hospital in the early stages of their south London derby.
Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts was sent off just eight minutes in after catching Mateta鈥檚 head with his boot as he raced out of the penalty area to clear the ball.
Referee Michael Oliver only issued a red card after a VAR review of the challenge, with Roberts winning the ball before accidently crashing his boot into Mateta鈥檚 head.
鈥淭hank you for all your kind messages. I鈥檓 doing well. I hope to be back very soon. And stronger than ever. Well done guys for a great job today,鈥� Mateta posted on Instagram.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed Mateta had suffered a serious injury to his ear but said the impact could have ended the Frenchman鈥檚 career.
鈥淛ust imagine if he hits his face straight, with his power, with the studs, it is the end of JP鈥檚 career,鈥� said Glasner.
Palace chairman Steve Parish described as the 鈥渕ost reckless challenge鈥� he had ever seen.
The home side made use of the man advantage to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Japhet Tanganga鈥檚 own goal put Palace ahead in the 33rd minute before Daniel Munoz prodded in the second seven minutes later.
Wes Harding pulled a goal back for the Lions 13 minutes into first-half stoppage time added on for Mateta鈥檚 treatment.
Palace were made to wait until 82 minutes to ensure progress when Eddie Nketiah鈥檚 looping header found the far corner.
Bournemouth advanced to the last eight for only the third time in their history with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Wolves after their 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium.
Evanilson鈥檚 30th-minute opener for Bournemouth was followed by VAR controversy as Milos Kerkez had a second ruled out for offside after an eight-minute check when the new semi-automated version of the system broke down.
Matheus Cunha levelled for Wolves with a second-half rocket to force extra-time, but the Brazilian was sent off for violent conduct after repeatedly clashing with Kerkez just before the penalties.
After Matt Doherty missed when he had the chance to send Wolves through, Boubacar Traore hit the crossbar and Luis Sinisterra sealed the win for Andoni Iraola鈥檚 men.
Milutin Osmajic taunted Burnley fans after helping Preston into the quarter-finals for the first time since 1966 with a 3-0 win at Deepdale.
When the Championship sides played in the league two weeks ago, Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri accused Osmajic of racist abuse, allegations which the Preston striker denies.
Burnley players declined to shake hands with Montenegro international Osmajic before their latest meeting.
Osmajic got Preston鈥檚 second goal late in the first half and celebrated by taunting Burnley fans with his hands cupped around his ears.
Robbie Brady and Will Keane were also on target as Preston ended Burnley鈥檚 23-game unbeaten run.