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’ 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 “biggest honor” of his life to go head-to-head with Pep Guardiola.
With FA Cup glory City’s 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’s youngsters who took his chance to shine as Nico O’Reilly turned the tie around.
Muslic will be furious at the manner of both the 19-year-old’s goals as he twice headed in from set-pieces under little pressure.
O’Reilly’s equalizer just before half-time calmed City’s nerves before he powered in Phil Foden’s 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.
“Big compliments to Plymouth for making our job so difficult. They were incredibly organized, but we played a good game,” said Guardiola.
Palace’s 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’s 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’s head.
“Thank you for all your kind messages. I’m doing well. I hope to be back very soon. And stronger than ever. Well done guys for a great job today,” 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’s career.
“Just imagine if he hits his face straight, with his power, with the studs, it is the end of JP’s career,” said Glasner.
Palace chairman Steve Parish described as the “most reckless challenge” he had ever seen.
The home side made use of the man advantage to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Japhet Tanganga’s 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’s treatment.
Palace were made to wait until 82 minutes to ensure progress when Eddie Nketiah’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 23-game unbeaten run.
Man City survive Plymouth scare, Palace’s Mateta hospitalized in Millwall win
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Man City survive Plymouth scare, Palace’s Mateta hospitalized in Millwall win
- Plymouth had shocked Premier League leaders Liverpool in the previous round
- “Big compliments to Plymouth for making our job so difficult. They were incredibly organized, but we played a good game,” said Guardiola
Davies return threatens to make brilliant Bayern even better
- Davies came off the bench at the end of Bayern’s 3-1 home Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon
- Bayern’s blockbusting form means coach Vincent Kompany can afford to ease Davies back into the starting XI
BERLIN: With 13 games played, Bayern Munich are already eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and look set to welcome back lightning-fast wing-back Alphonso Davies this weekend.
Davies came off the bench at the end of Bayern’s 3-1 home Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.
Included in the squad for Sunday’s home clash with rock-bottom Mainz, the Canada captain is in line to play his first Bundesliga match since tearing his ACL on international duty in March.
Bayern’s blockbusting form — the German giants have dropped just two points in the Bundesliga this season — means coach Vincent Kompany can afford to ease Davies back into the starting XI.
Writing on social media after the match, Davies said: “Good to be back doing what I love the most.”
Officially a wing-back, the 25-year-old regularly bombs forward and is a constant threat up front.
In defense, Davies’ blinding speed allows the club to play an even higher line — Kompany’s preferred system — with the Canadian often seen chasing down and snuffing out potential counter threats.
Some players miss a year or more with ACL injuries but Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich on Tuesday credited Davies hard work during rehab for his swift return.
“It was a difficult time for him, but he’s always brought positive energy. The way he went through his rehab was exemplary and outstanding,” Kimmich said.
“He gives us a lot on and off the pitch.”
Bayern received further good news on Wednesday with Jamal Musiala on track for a January return, most likely in a friendly against Red Bull Salzburg before the season restarts.
With long-term absentee Hiroki Ito also getting minutes, Bayern will be able to rotate more as they juggle league, cup and European commitments.
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said the returnees meant Bayern would be unlikely to bring in anyone during the January transfer window.
“More players are coming back. Our transfers are coming from within,” Eberl said Tuesday, adding “we’ll essentially have three new signings.”
Sunday’s opponents Mainz have won just one match all season and sit five points from safety.
Appointed this week, former Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer will make his league debut in the dugout on Sunday.
Fischer did wonders at Union, taking the club to the top flight and a shock Champions League qualification.
At Mainz, his first point of call will be to steady the ship and drag the club off the bottom of the table.
One to watch: Said El Mala (Cologne)
Playing his first season in the Bundesliga, Cologne’s teenage winger Said El Mala has already shown he belongs at the top level.
Called up to the Germany squad in November, El Mala has five goals and two assists in his past eight league games.
El Mala’s speed and finishing will be crucial on Sunday when Cologne play away at bitter derby rivals Bayer Leverkusen.
Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand said Friday his side are well aware of the threat El Mala poses, particularly on the counter.
“Super player. Very fast in transitions. El Mala has been doing very well,” Hjulmand said.
“We need to play our own game and press very fast — we know the qualities El Mala and Cologne’s other forward have.”
Key stats
49 — Bayern have scored more goals than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues.
10 — Last week’s hat-trick against Stuttgart was Harry Kane’s 10th in the Bundesliga.
1 — Mainz’s solitary league win this season came back in September.
Fixtures (1430 GMT unless stated)
Friday
Union Berlin v RB Leipzig (1930)
Saturday
Eintracht Frankfurt v Augsburg, Borussia Moenchengladbach v Wolfsburg, St. Pauli v Heidenheim, Hoffenheim v Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen v Cologne (1730)
Sunday
Freiburg v Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich v Mainz (1630), Werder Bremen v Stuttgart (1830)
