Football has a funny way of making you feel like a giant one minute and a nervous wreck the next. You’d think a team like Manchester City, with a squad value that looks like a small country’s GDP, wouldn't break a sweat against Plymouth Argyle. But if you actually watched their FA Cup fifth-round clash on March 1, 2025, you know that logic doesn't always apply at the Etihad.
It was a cold Saturday afternoon. For 38 minutes, the script was exactly what we expected: City passed, Plymouth chased. Then, suddenly, it wasn't.
Maksym Talovierov rose above everyone from a corner. One header. 0-1.
The Etihad went quiet, except for the pocket of traveling Green Army fans who probably couldn't believe their luck. It’s matches like Man City vs Plymouth Argyle that remind us why the FA Cup hasn't lost its soul yet, even in an era of super-clubs and state-funded dominance.
The Nico O'Reilly Show and the Great Escape
Pep Guardiola rarely looks panicked, but he looked "kinda" annoyed on the touchline that day. Most people forget that City were actually trailing until deep into first-half stoppage time. Enter Nico O’Reilly.
The Academy graduate basically saved the day. He grabbed his first goal at the 45+1 minute mark, heading home a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick. It was a massive relief for the home fans. If they’d gone into the tunnel down 1-0, the second half would have been a toxic pressure cooker.
✨ Don't miss: North Dakota Basketball Score: What Most Fans Are Missing This Season
O’Reilly wasn't done, though.
In the 76th minute, he bagged a second header, this time from a Phil Foden cross. It’s funny because you don't usually associate City with headed goals from teenage midfielders, but O'Reilly’s "big presence," as Pep later called it, was the difference. De Bruyne eventually added a third in the 90th minute to make it 3-1, but the scoreline hides how close Plymouth came to a historic upset.
Honestly, Plymouth played with a level of grit that you just don't see often enough. They only had 27% possession. They only had one shot on target. But they made that one shot count and defended like their lives depended on it for nearly 80 minutes.
A Rivalry Born in the Second Tier
Most modern fans think Man City vs Plymouth Argyle is a rare cup novelty. Historically, that’s not really true. Back in the day—we're talking the 1930s through the 1980s—these two were regular league opponents.
They’ve faced off 21 times in total. City has won 12, Plymouth has taken 5, and they’ve drawn 4.
The "Pilgrims" actually used to give City a lot of trouble. Between 1964 and 1965, Plymouth won three out of four meetings. Imagine that now. It feels like a different universe. The most recent time Plymouth actually beat City was in 1988, a 3-2 victory at Home Park. Since then, it’s been all City, but the matches are rarely boring.
Where the Teams Stand in 2026
Fast forward to January 2026, and the landscape has shifted again. City is currently embroiled in a tight title race, sitting 11 points clear of Manchester United but chasing an incredible Arsenal side led by Mikel Arteta.
Pep is dealing with a bit of a defensive crisis right now. John Stones, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol are all out. He’s been forced to start youngsters like Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne. It’s a vulnerable moment for the champions.
Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle has had a rough ride. After Miron Muslic left for Schalke, they brought in Tom Cleverley as head coach. It’s been a "chaos era," as some fans call it. They’re currently struggling in League One after a painful relegation, but the memory of that 3-1 scare at the Etihad still keeps the fans going.
Why the Tactical Gap is Narrowing (Sorta)
People think small teams lose because they aren't as "good." Usually, it's just depth.
✨ Don't miss: South African Rugby Team: What Most People Get Wrong
In the 2025 match, Plymouth held on until they made a triple sub in the 64th minute. Bringing on Al Hajj, Baidoo, and Houghton for Mumba, Bundu, and Gyabi changed the energy, but they couldn't match the quality of Erling Haaland, who Pep brought on as a "sub" around the same time. Talk about an unfair fight.
- Possession: City (73%) vs Plymouth (27%)
- Total Shots: City (29) vs Plymouth (1)
- Big Chances: City (9) vs Plymouth (0)
Despite those stats, for 75 minutes, the score was 1-1. That’s the beauty of this specific matchup. Plymouth knows they can't outplay City, so they turn the game into a battle of endurance.
What to Watch for in Future Meetings
If these two draw each other again in the cup this year, don't expect a blowout.
First, watch the aerial duels. Plymouth proved they can hurt City on set pieces, especially with the height of defenders like Kornél Szűcs or Mathias Ross. City’s current injury list in the center-back department makes them susceptible to exactly the kind of goal Talovierov scored.
Second, look at the "Pep Rotation." Guardiola is focused on "growth over trophies" lately, but he hates losing. If he underestimates a team like Plymouth again, he might not have a Nico O’Reilly to bail him out next time.
👉 See also: Why SEC Women's Tournament 2025 Still Matters for Fans Today
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the trajectory of these clubs, keep an eye on these specific moves:
- Watch the Man City Transfer Market: City is reportedly close to signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace to fix their defensive depth. This would fundamentally change how they handle physical, direct teams like Plymouth.
- Track Plymouth’s Rebuild: Under Tom Cleverley, Argyle is leaning heavily on young talent like Tegan Finn and Lorent Tolaj. If they can stabilize their defense, they’ll be back in the Championship sooner rather than later.
- Betting Patterns: In these "David vs Goliath" matchups, the "Both Teams to Score" (BTTS) market is often undervalued. Plymouth has scored in their last two major cup meetings against top-flight opposition.
The story of Man City vs Plymouth Argyle isn't just about a big team winning. It's about a small team from Devon nearly breaking the most expensive machine in football. It happened in 2025, and with City’s current injury woes, it could happen again.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for Nathan Ake and the young defenders Max Alleyne and Khusanov. If City has to rely on them in a high-pressure cup tie, the gap between the Premier League and League One might just vanish for ninety minutes.
To stay ahead of the curve, monitor the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri. City's win rate drops significantly when their midfield anchors are managed for minutes, which is exactly when "upset" specialists like Plymouth find their opening.