But for Ederson, Newport would have been in front inside 20 minutes against Man City
Understandably, Manchester City were seen as strong favourites ahead of their fifth round FA Cup tie against Newport County on Saturday evening.
Though the Premier League champions fielded a weakened side against their League Two opponents, their starting XI wasn’t exactly weak – the likes of David Silva, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus all beginning the game at Rodney Parade.
Fresh from their hammering of Chelsea in a 6-0 win in the Premier League last weekend, many might have expected City to blow Newport away in the early stages, but this wasn’t the case at all. In fact, were it not for an incredible intervention from their goalkeeper, Pep Guardiola’s side would have fallen behind inside the first 20 minutes.
A long throw into the City box was flicked on by Jamille Matt at the front post, leaving Tyreeq Bakinson with what seemed like a relatively straightforward chance to nod home from inside the six-yard box.
Ederson, however, had other ideas. Throwing himself across the goal line to claw the ball away from danger with his right hand before one of his teammates was able to carry it away from danger.
😱 | @NewportCounty so close to taking the lead! pic.twitter.com/qR6jrBtYe2
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 16, 2019
A lucky escape for City…
