Manchester City 3 Plymouth 1 - Nico O'Reilly nets twice and Kevin De Bruyne once as Pep Guardiola's side down Pilgrims

An unlikely brace from teenage full-back Nico O'Reilly set Manchester City on course for victory over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fifth round, after this year's giant-killers took a first-half lead.

Championship-strugglers Plymouth knocked Liverpool out in the last round and were on their way to another upset when Maksym Talovierov headed home Matthew Sorinola's cross five minutes before the break.

Their chances of an upset were dashed when, on the stroke of half-time, O'Reilly met Kevin De Bruyne's free kick with a header to level the scores.

City had a lot of chances in the second half but found Conor Hazard in inspired form in the Pilgrims net, denying substitute Erling Haaland on a couple of occasions, but once more it was left-back O'Reilly who made the breakthrough heading in at the back post for his third goal in this year's competition.

In the 90th minute, any doubt about whose name would be in the sixth-round draw was ended Erling Haaland slid a ball across the six-yard box which De Bruyne nudged home.

Plymouth will never forget their victory over Liverpool and for a while it looked like they might repeat the feat against Manchester City but the English champions, helped by an unlikely double-goal hero, proved too strong.

It would be easy to fall apart as City launch more attacks into their box but a couple of last-ditch challenges ensure the margin is not increased.

Haaland should have scored when one-on-one but Hazard denied him. Then the ball came back to the striker who slid a ball across the six-yard box for the City skipper to score.

The home fans held their breath but the Plymouth forward could not find a team mate.

Hazard is not taking any chances as he pushes the ball to safety.

City are still keeping the ball well and Plymouth will have to take any rare chance they get in a decent position in the hosts' half.

The expensive signing gets a chance to shine. He comes on for Foden.

That will be Plymouth's last substitution.

He has scored three goals in his three starts for City in the Cup this year.

You had to say it was coming. CIty were coming closer and closer and when the corner came in O'Reilly was unmarked at the back post to head his second of the game. What a match for the teenager.

It looked certain that Haaland had scored when he met De Bruyne's cross but the keeper brilliantly pushed away on his line and then Bernardo Silva shot wide.

Puchacz did not know too much about it but he stopped the ball reaching Haaland at the far post.

But it is just too high for Haaland.

Foden miss-hit the ball when De Bruyne's corner fell to him on the edge of the area and as the ball fell to Haaland a goal seemed certain but he shot over the bar.

He tries to surprise HAzard with a shot after receiving a corner back to him but Hazard tips over the bar.