Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle visits foreign based players ahead of crucial W’Cup qualifiers

Kevin De Bruyne rescued Manchester City from an early FA Cup scare as they came from behind to defeat third-tier Leyton Orient 2-1 in the fourth round.  

Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a setback when Jamie Donley’s long-range strike hit the crossbar and deflected in off City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, giving Orient a surprising early lead at Brisbane Road.

City struggled to break down their determined opponents but finally equalized in the 56th minute when Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov deflected Rico Lewis’s shot into his own net.

It marked Khusanov’s first goal for City since joining from Lens in the January transfer window.

With just four days before a crucial Champions League play-off round first-leg clash against Real Madrid, Guardiola was forced to rely on his bench more than expected to secure the hard-fought victory.

But the introduction of De Bruyne made the difference as the Belgian midfielder scored 11 minutes from time.

“It was a typical FA Cup game, that is why this competition is unbelievable. For the fans, how the crowd supported them, and we knew they were strong,” Guardiola said.

“It is my ninth season in England. I played many times against lower-division teams. It was a tight game and we knew it for the situation that we have, but we reacted really well with great character.”

Victory came at a cost for City, though, as new midfielder Nico Gonzalez hobbled off just 22 minutes into his debut after a £50 million ($62 million) move from Porto.

Bottom of the Premier League and seemingly destined for relegation, Southampton got no respite in the FA Cup as second-tier Burnley won 1-0 at St Mary’s.

Scott Parker’s team went in front after 77 minutes when Marcus Edwards scored from close range on his debut after signing on loan from Sporting Lisbon.

Edwards, 26, was once compared to Lionel Messi before being released by Tottenham and rebuilding his career in Lisbon.

It is almost 600 minutes since Championship promotion chasers Burnley last conceded a goal, with 10 clean sheets in their last 11 games.

The last FA Cup tie at Goodison Park ended in disappointment for Everton, who are moving to a new stadium next season, as Bournemouth cruised to a 2-0 victory.

Andoni Iraola’s side went ahead when Everton captain James Tarkowski fouled Antoine Semenyo in the area and the Bournemouth winger picked himself up to convert the 23rd-minute penalty.

Dan Jebbison tapped in Bournemouth’s second on the rebound after Marcus Tavernier’s shot was parried by Jordan Pickford in the 42nd minute.

Rodrigo Muniz scored twice as Fulham won 2-1 at third-tier Wigan.

Muniz bundled home Ryan Sessegnon’s cross in the 23rd minute before Jonny Smith’s curler hauled Wigan level after 50 minutes.

Fulham were back in front five minutes later when Muniz slotted home from Andreas Pereira’s pass.

Ipswich, second bottom of the Premier League, swept to a 4-1 win against Frank Lampard’s Coventry.

George Hirst’s second-minute penalty was quickly cancelled by out Joel Latibeaudiere’s eighth-minute equaliser for the second-tier hosts.

But Jack Clarke restored Ipswich’s lead in the 28th minute and struck again after 37 minutes before Jaden Philogene’s 63rd-minute effort sealed the rout.

Millwall reached the fifth round for the first time since 2018-19 thanks to Femi Azeez’s double in a 2-0 win at Championship leaders Leeds.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke made 10 changes and paid the price as Azeez opened the scoring with a deflected effort from the edge of the area in the 30th minute.

Azeez netted again for the 2004 FA Cup finalists with a fierce drive in the 55th minute before Millwall keeper Liam Roberts saved Pascal Struijk’s penalty.

Later on Saturday, Chelsea travel to Brighton and Newcastle visit third-tier Birmingham.