In a thrilling FA Cup fourth-round clash, Manchester City came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory against League One side Leyton Orient, but it was a moment of pure magic from Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley that stole the headlines.
The 20-year-old midfielder produced what many are calling one of the greatest FA Cup goals, even though it officially went down as a Stefan Ortega own goal. Seizing on a loose ball after City's Nico Gonzalez lost possession in the visitors' half, Donley executed an audacious 50-yard chip that sailed over the German goalkeeper. The ball struck the crossbar before deflecting off Ortega and crossing the line.
"It is a shame it has gone down as an own goal," Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens lamented. "It is not deserved and I am sure Ortega doesn't want it. It is one thing seeing it, it is another executing."
The goal drew widespread acclaim from football experts. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, speaking on Match of the Day, described it as "an absolutely remarkable goal" and "the strike of a lifetime." BBC Radio 5 Live's Chris Sutton was equally effusive, calling it "absolutely sensational" and "one of the greatest FA Cup goals."
Even Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, while concerned about what he perceived as a foul on debutant Gonzalez, couldn't help but admire the strike. "What a goal," Guardiola praised. "What a fantastic shot - the quality, the technique, the speed, the flight of the ball. When you concede this goal, you just congratulate Donley. He's an incredible left-footed player and he made a fantastic goal."
For Donley, who had previously made his senior Tottenham debut against City in a memorable 3-3 draw at the Etihad Stadium last December, the goal showcased his potential. The Northern Ireland youth international has been impressing during his loan spell at Brisbane Road, with Wellens suggesting Championship football is the minimum level for his future.
"Spurs have loaned us one of their best young players," Wellens stated. "We think we have developed him really well over the last six months. If he carries on with same attitude, intensity and work ethic, he might be playing against them [City] week in week out."
Despite the eventual defeat, the match provided a classic FA Cup atmosphere, with Guardiola even finding humor in the home fans' taunts. "The atmosphere was fantastic," the City boss remarked. "Even when they say 'you're getting sacked in the morning'. It's routine in all the stadiums right now. With this result, I think my chairman is not going to sack me but it [the atmosphere] was really good."
The defeat marked the end of Orient's FA Cup journey, but Donley's wonder strike will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the tournament's most spectacular moments, regardless of its official classification as an own goal.
