Man City vs Plymouth LIVE: FA Cup latest score and goal updates after Gundogan hits the post

Man City vs Plymouth LIVE

Manchester City are action against Plymouth Argyle as FA Cup fifth round weekend continues at the Etihad Stadium. It may be fourth in the Premier League against second from bottom in the Championship, but this competition is known for serving up a shock result or two.

Already this season, Plymouth have knocked out two Premier League opposition including the best team in the country right now, Liverpool. In fact, the Championship outfit were well worth their 1-0 victory at Home Park in round four and will have to produce a similar performance to claim the scalp of the reigning champions of England.

City put eight past Salford in round three before struggling to overcome League One side Leyton Orient in the previous round. Though, Pep Guardiola’s side have warmed up for this evening’s fifth round clash with a 1-0 win over Tottenham in midweek, and were unfortunate not to have won by a bigger margin. A place in the quarter-final is at stake. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog.

Man City vs Plymouth latest news

• Man City lineup announced: No Haaland, Foden up front

• Plymouth XI confirmed

• Kick-off: 5.45pm GMT | Etihad Stadium

• How to watch: ITV4

• Standard Sport Prediction: Hosts to progress

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

18:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

27 min: POST!

Man City so close to an opener as the ball falls kindly for Gundogan who strikes it at goal but sees his effort crash against the post.

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

18:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

25 min: Interesting tussle between Pleguezuelo and Ake at a corner. Referee takes a look at it, but points for a goal kick.

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

18:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

23 min: Encouraging signs for Plymouth as Wright attempts to jink his way into the box but his tackled by De Bruyne.

Grealish then attempts to set Foden free but Pleguezuelo gets back to snuff out the danger.

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

18:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

21 min: Plymouth in their first foray forward win a throw-in in a very good position and a long throw causes a bit of panic in the Man City defence before Foden clears his lines.

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

18:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

20 min: Ole’s from the away end as Plymouth string together a handful of passes.

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

18:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

18 min: Hazard is forced into his first save of the tie, but it’s a routine one as he gets down low to keep out Gundogan’s header.

That’s twice Gundogan has won a header, Plymouth will need to keep a closer eye on him.

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

18:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

17 min: Confirmation that Bournemouth will be in the hat for the quarter-final draw after beating Wolves on penalties.

Which of Man City or Plymouth will join them?

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

18:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

15 min: A quarter of the game gone and Plymouth will be pleased with their start. Yes, they’ve not seen much of the ball but goalkeeper Hazard hasn’t had to made a save of note either.

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

17:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

13 min: Now it’s Foden’s turn to see an effort deflected behind for a corner.

Man City want a penalty after the ball hits Julio Pleguezuelo’s hand but it’s checked and cleared with no penalty the answer.

Gundogan then flicks on a header at the near post but the ball goes flying over.

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

17:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

10 min: Foden looks to combine with Grealish but the return pass into the former is deflected behind for a corner.

From which it is played short to an unmarked Grealish who sees his effort charged down.

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

17:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

9 min: Man City moving the ball from right to left as they look for a gap. De Bruyne then swings in a cross which is overhit and goes out of play for a goal kick.

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

17:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

6 min: Great support from the 7000+ Plymouth fans as they’ve not stopped singing since entering the stadium.

Gundogan’s pass to De Bruyne which goes out of play is greeted by huge cheers by the travelling fans.

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

17:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

4 min: No surprises here as Man City are dominating possession in the early stages. Foden manages to tickle the ball out to Grealish for a first time shot but the effort is blocked.

Plymouth, as expected, are defending very deep. Every player behind the ball.

Man City 0-0 Plymouth

17:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

1 min: Early signs suggest Man City, in possession, will line up in a back three as Rico Lewis has pushed into a central midfield position.

Looks like Foden and McAtee will take it in turns to be the most advanced City player.

KICK-OFF!

17:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

We are underway in this FA Cup fifth round tie!

Hardie blow

17:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Ryan Hardie was Plymouth’s hero against Liverpool in round four. However, he misses out this evening through injury.

Here we go!

17:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

The players have emerged from the tunnel area.

Time for the player handshakes and then kick-off.

Plymouth inspiration

17:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Looks like Plymouth are drawing on inspiration from their 1974 League Cup semi-final against Manchester City ahead of this evening’s FA Cup tie.

Around the grounds

17:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Three fifth-round ties have already concluded with Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Preston overcoming Cardiff City, Millwall and Burnley respectively.

It’s currently in extra-time in the all-Premier League showdown between Bournemouth and Wolves.

Guardiola on Man City team selection

17:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Pep Guardiola says keeping his squad fresh is the reason behind making 11 changes from the 1-0 win over Tottenham for this evening’s FA Cup tie.

“We cannot go three days [with a game], many games,” he told ITV. “Of course, we need fresh legs. Oscar Bobb and Rodri are close to coming back.”

Not long now!

17:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Around 20 minutes to go until kick-off at the Etihad Stadium.

Matthew Sorinola put in a shift against Liverpool in the last round, you get the feeling he will be asked to cover every blade of grass this evening.

Miron Muslic pre-match thoughts

17:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Miron Muslic has spoken to the media ahead of this evening’s FA Cup tie…

FA Cup rule change

17:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

The FA Cup rules have changed this season. Replays have been scrapped from the first round onwards, with a winner determined on the day of the ties.

So, if the scores are level after 90 minutes tonight, a period of 30 minutes of extra time will be played with a penalty shootout to follow if a winner can not be found in that time.

The Green Army

17:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Make no mistake about it, Plymouth supporters have travelled in their numbers to the Etihad Stadium more in hope rather than expectation.

Though, the same was said ahead of games against Brentford and Liverpool, yet here they are in the fifth-round of the FA Cup.

Plymouth boost

17:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Huge boost for Plymouth this evening, Julio Pleguezuelo is fit enough to start having been absent since the fourth-round win over Liverpool.

The defender was part of a rock-solid defensive unit against the Reds and will need to produce a similar type of performance.

Man City changes

17:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

It’s 11 changes to the Man City side that started the 1-0 win over Tottenham in midweek.

Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish and Stefan Ortega all recalled.

Plymouth team in full

16:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Plymouth XI: Hazard, Mumba, Ogbeta, Pleguezuelo, Wright, Bundu, Gyabi, Boateng, Katic, Sorinola, Talovierov.

Subs: Grimshaw, Houghton, Szucs, Edwards, Puchacz, Al Hajj, Baidoo, Roberts, Palsson.

Man City team in full

16:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Man City XI: Ortega Bronceado, Lewis, Reis, Ake, O’Reilly, Gundogan, De Bruyne (C), McAtee, Bernardo, Grealish, Foden

Subs: Ederson, Dias, Marmoush, Haaland, Doku, Nico, Gvardiol, Savinho, Nunes

Plymouth confirmed XI

16:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

And for the visitors…

Man City lineup announced

16:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Lining up for the home side in this evening’s FA Cup fifth round tie…

Team news imminent

16:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

We are expecting the team news to be announced shortly.

Stay tuned…

Pep Guardiola issues blunt response to Javier Tebas accusations

16:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Pep Guardiola refused to respond to accusations aimed at Manchester City from La Ataderas president Javier Tebas.

Tebas said the Spanish league filed a complaint to the EU Commission against City in the summer of 2023, claiming they used related companies in the United Arab Emirates to cover losses and improve the picture on the club’s own cálculo sheet.

City have not publicly commented, but are believed to strongly deny the allegations and PA report that sources at the club have pointed to the public accounts as evidence of no wrongdoing.

Speaking at his press conference on Friday ahead of City’s FA Cup fifth-round clash at home to Plymouth, Guardiola responded “next’ when Tebas’ name was brought up.

Read the full story here!

Man City dominance

16:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Manchester City have won their last 18 FA Cup games against sides from a lower division by an aggregate score of 69-9.

A run that stretches back to the 2017-18 when they lost 1-0 at Wigan Athletic in the fifth round…

The visitors are in the building

16:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Plymouth have arrived at the Etihad Stadium ahead of this evening’s massive task.

Guardiola: Every game is a final

16:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Manchester City’s season comes down to success in the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League.

With a number of tough fixtures between now and the end of the campaign, including this evening’s FA Cup tie, Pep Guardiola has highlighted the importance of every single remaining game.

“We have two months or so [remaining this season], and every game is a final for us,” he told reporters. “If we lose one or two games, we will be eighth [in the Premier League].

“Everything is so tight. We have big games before internationals – Nottingham Forest are third and Brighton are there, too.

“Then we have long weeks to prepare well and have good training [sessions].

“We have to be focused on what the team needs, the Club needs and [Plymouth] is most important right now.”

Man City predicted XI

16:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

This week has seen Man City finally unveil Argentinian wonderkid Claudio Echeverri.

The 19-year-old signed for City last January but was loaned back to River Plate to help continue his development. And after starring for his nation at the recent Under-20 South American Championship, he has officially joined up with the squad.

Though, it seems Guardiola will hold off on handing Echeverri a primicia.

Stefan Ortega is likely to get the nod in between the posts as Ederson makes way. Nico O’Reilly has started both FA Cup ties for City so far this season and could be handed another opportunity at left-back.

Man City predicted XI: Ortega; Lewis, Khusanov, Reis, O’Reilly; Nico, Gundogan; Foden, McAtee, Doku; Marmoush

Plymouth’s big day

16:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Plymouth beat the Premier League leaders, Liverpool, last month to set up a fifth-round clash against Manchester City.

They broke the deadlock early in the second half when Ryan Hardie, who missed a penalty that would have seen Argyle take Chelsea to penalties at Stamford Bridge in the fourth round four years ago, stepped up and sent Caoimhin Kelleher the wrong way as Home Park erupted.

Oscar Bobb latest

16:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Pep Guardiola says he is hopeful Oscar Bobb can play a part during the second half of the season after suffering a setback in his recovery from a broken leg.

“He is getting better, training yesterday and today as well,” the Man City boss told reporters yesterday.

“It has been longer than we expected, but hopefully he can finish and help us in the last part of the season.

“We want to help him desperately. It’s been a tough period for him but always there is light at the end of the tunnel, this is life and especially in sport.”

Muslic on Guardiola test

16:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Plymouth Argyle head coach Miron Muslic says facing Pep Guardiola will be “the biggest honour of my life” after revealing the Man City boss is someone he looks up to.

“I think he’s a giant in our sport, a giant as a coach,” Muslic told BBC Radiodifusión Devon. “I think he’s one of the most successful coaches in sports history, one of the most successful coaches in football history.

“It’s the biggest honour in my life, in my career as a coach, so I’m very much looking forward to shaking his hand and telling him that he’s a giant of our sport and a huge, huge role model for every single coach in the world.”

Rodri update

15:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Rodri has taken a big step towards a return to action.

The midfielder suffered a serious knee injury back in September, and is not expected to feature again this season.

Though, City have shared footage of Rodri back on the training pitch, working with the ball for the first time since his injury.

Early start for Plymouth fans

15:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

This is what the FA Cup is all about.

7,800 Plymouth fans set off this morning for the 566-mile round trip to the Etihad Stadium.

Man City vs Plymouth match odds

15:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Man City win: 1/20

Plymouth win: 30/1

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

Man City vs Plymouth: Head to head (h2h) history and results

15:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Man City wins: 11

Draws: 4

Plymouth wins: 5

This is the first meeting between the two sides since February 25, 1989.

Man City vs Plymouth prediction

15:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Big wins at home against lower league opposition has been a feature of Man City cup runs over the years and they’ve already dispatched of Salford in the competition this season.

Now, Miron Muslic has overseen a massive defensive improvement at Plymouth since his appointment and the game against Liverpool showed how resolute they can be.

That said, the expectation is that Man City will comfortably progress.

Man City to win 3-0

Plymouth team news

15:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Julio Pleguezuelo could return to the Plymouth starting lineup having not featured since limping off against Liverpool in round four. The defender was on the bench in Argyle’s last outing – a 1-1 draw against Coventry.

Man City team news

15:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Pep Guardiola reported no fresh Man City injuries following the win over Tottenham, so therefore should be able to select from the same pool of players.

Kevin De Bruyne is pushing for a start after he was an unused substitute in north London, whilst Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan and Nathan Ake could all be recalled in a rotated City side.

New signing Claudio Echeverri has finally arrived at City but faces a wait to make his primicia.

How to watch Man City vs Plymouth

15:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

TV channel: The game will be broadcast on ITV4 which is free to air for UK viewers. Coverage starts at 5pm GMT ahead of an 5.45pm kick-off.

Live stream: ITVX will offer a live stream service.

LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!

Welcome

15:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the FA Cup fifth round tie between Manchester City and Plymouth Argyle!

Man City are heavy favourites to progress but they will be wary of an Argyle side that have already knocked out TWO Premier League sides so far, including Liverpool!

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5.45pm GMT from the Etihad Stadium.