Kevin De Bruyne's Heroics Save Manchester City's FA Cup Hopes against Leyton Orient

Manchester City narrowly avoided a major upset by defeating third-tier Leyton Orient 2-1 to advance to the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday. Pep Guardiola was forced to make crucial changes from the bench in order to prevent a shock defeat for the Premier League champions, with substitute Kevin De Bruyne scoring the decisive goal 11 minutes before the final whistle. Leyton Orient took an early lead with Jamie Donley's bold attempt that hit the crossbar and deflected in off City's goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. The League One side held onto their lead until the 56th minute when Rico Lewis' shot ricocheted in off Abdukodir Khusanov, marking his first goal for Manchester City.

Guardiola threw on Phil Foden and De Bruyne in desperate search of a winner and the veteran Belgian duly delivered.

De Bruyne prodded in Jack Grealish's forward pass to spare City's blushes from the latest embarrassment of a difficult season.

Guardiola's men sit fourth in the Premier League and narrowly avoided a shock early exit from the Champions League in the group stages.

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But they will need to be much improved when the might of Real Madrid come calling to the Etihad in the Champions League play-off round on Tuesday.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)