Leyton Orient midfielder Jamie Donley etched his name into FA Cup folklore with an audacious long-range strike that gave the League One side a shock lead in their fourth-round clash against Manchester City.
Though City ultimately overturned the deficit with a second-half comeback—equalizing through a deflected Rico Lewis shot and sealing victory with Kevin De Bruyne’s close-range finish—Donley’s extraordinary effort remained the standout moment.
The 20-year-old, a dual youth international for England and Northern Ireland, launched a 50-yard strike after spotting City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega off his line. The ball crashed off the crossbar before rebounding in off Ortega, evoking memories of Ronnie Radford’s iconic 1972 FA Cup goal for Hereford against Newcastle.
For a while, it seemed Donley’s goal might inspire a monumental upset, as Pep Guardiola’s side teetered on the brink of their first FA Cup defeat to a lower-league side since 2018. However, City’s late rally, bolstered by the introduction of Phil Foden and De Bruyne, ensured they avoided an upset ahead of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
Donley’s Moment of Magic
Though officially credited as an own goal due to Ortega’s final touch, Donley’s strike was nothing short of remarkable. The Tottenham loanee seized on a loose ball, assessed the opportunity in an instant, and executed a near-perfect shot that left the stadium spellbound. Ortega’s desperate attempt to save it inadvertently directed the ball into the net, cementing the moment as a highlight of the tournament.
Despite protests from City over a challenge by Sonny Perkins on Nico Gonzalez in the build-up, there was no VAR to review the incident, leaving the goal to stand.
Leyton Orient’s Jayden Sweeney nearly forced extra time in the dying moments, but his missed opportunity meant City advanced, though Donley’s brilliance ensured the day would be long remembered by the home fans.
City’s Injury Worries Ahead of Real Madrid Clash
Pep Guardiola faces mounting injury concerns ahead of City’s Champions League showdown with Real Madrid. New signing Nico Gonzalez, who impressed early in the match, was forced off following the contentious challenge that preceded Donley’s goal. His absence would be a significant blow to City’s midfield options.
Another new recruit, Vitor Reis, also failed to complete the match, while Ruben Dias was substituted at halftime on his return from injury. Guardiola will be hoping Dias recovers in time to bolster City’s defense against Real Madrid’s attacking threats, including Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé.
Though City emerged victorious, Guardiola knows they will need a far better performance to continue their European campaign. Gonzalez’s availability may well be the key to their success.