MATCH FACTS ZIN CONTROL’ Pep’s happy to be in next round after Oleks opener
rattled, unable to find any sort of rhythm, while the club 74 places below them visibly grew in stature.
So it was cruel when City regained the lead before the break – after a long wait from VAR over a possible offside.
Gundogan found the overlapping Foden and his cross was bundled in at the far post by Aguero, the Argentinian barely celebrating as he knew that Stockley Park were going to take a look.
Under scrutiny was Foden’s arm, which may have strayed illegally, but, despite Port Vale protests, the goal stood. Probably after some harsh words from Guardiola (left), City began the
■ At 17 years and 339 days old, Taylor Harwood-bellis is the youngest Englishman to score for Manchester City in any competition second half with greater conviction and more energy. Brown just managed to deny Bernardo Silva with a fingertip save, only for VAR to favour the Manchester club once again.
Talk about the big decisions going for the big clubs, but it proved to be a magical moment for City’s teenager Harwood-bellis.
After some pinball action in a congested penalty area, Stones stabbed the ball goalwards from five yards and his effort trickled over the line, but, in doing so, it had skimmed off Harwoodbellis, who was next to Port Vale defender Legge. There was another since Micah Richards did so against Aston Villa in the FA Cup in February 2006 (17 years and 240 days).
■ Since joining Manchester City in 2011-12, Sergio Aguero has scored more FA Cup goals than any other player (19). Seven of these goals have come in third-round games. interminable wait and, after numerous replays, the goal was given – a first for the England Under-19 star.
And it was all over for the visitors when Angelino delivered a perfect cross from the left for Foden to side-foot in.
EMILIANO MARCONDES provided a moment of FA Cup magic for Brentford to light up a grim afternoon.
The forward scored his maiden goal for Brentford after 32 barren games, having just returned from six months on loan in Denmark with Midtjylland.
Stoke debutant keeper Adam Davies should have done better with his whipped right-footed free-kick from the left flank.
But there was delight for Marcondes (above), back to challenge the Bees’ ‘BMW’ front three of Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins.
Bees boss Thomas Frank said: “It was great goal from Emiliano. We needed him back as a forward player after a good loan spell in Denmark because we had injuries.
“It was a fantastic learning curve for the youngsters today. I got my wish list – a win, and time for other squad players, keeping our style. It shows many are ready to step in.
The managers made 16 changes in total – nine for the Bees – from their last games with promotion and survival the priorities for Frank and Michael O’neill.
O’neill said: “The game was decided by a set-piece – one that was preventable by us.
“I am disappointed but there were positives. Our final ball could have been better in the first half. But we created opportunities in the second half – we just lacked that final touch.”
There was a moving minute’s applause in the 25th minute for young Bees fan Joe Finnis, 25, a BA flight attendant tragically killed in a New Year’s Eve car crash.
BRENTFORD
STOKE