Preston North End

1-3

Manchester City

Nugent 7

 

Ball 34, Hill og 84, Ireland 89


The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Fifth Round Proper
1.10pm, Sunday 18 February
Deepdale
Winning clubs will receive £120,000 from The FA
Each televised club will receive £265,000 from The FA
Fifth Round  - Click Here



Manchester City netted two late goals to book their place in the quarter finals of the FA Cup and overcome a determined Preston side managed by former City player Paul Simpson.

After taking the lead through David Nugent, Preston looked to be heading for a replay but suffered FA Cup heartache in the last ten minutes when Georgios Samaras and Stephen Ireland ensured the Premiership side reached the last eight of the competition.

Things had started so well for Preston when Nugent fired the Championship side into the lead after just eight minutes.

Michael Rickett’s close-range header produced a fantastic save from Nicky Weaver. The rebound fell to Nugent who made no mistake striking the ball home for his 14th goal of the season.

Ricketts should have made it two for the home side on 22 minutes when he was clean through, but his effort was kept out by Weaver in the City goal.

Preston were made topay when City snatched an equaliser on 35 minutes. Bernado Corradi fired a volley which came back off the post.

Michael Ball ensured he was in the right place to knock the rebound home off the same post.

Things were to go from bad to worse for Preston despite their battling display in the second half when Samaras added a late second for City on 84 minutes.

The Greek international picked the ball up six-yards from goal and saw his shot take a wicked deflection off Matthew Hill and into the back of the net.

City wrapped up the victory in injury time in spectacular fashion when Ireland unleashed a memorable volley which flew over Andy Lonergan into the corner of the net.