BOURNEMOUTH 1-2 MANCHESTER CITY: Pep Guardiola’s men came from behind to win at the Vitality Stadium after goals from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush booked a seventh straight FA Cup semi-final
Pep Guardiola marched over to the away end and punched the air in delight. Who would have thought the FA Cup would save Manchester City’s season?
But this win felt like a big moment for Guardiola. It is rare that Guardiola – never a shrinking violet on the touchline – is as animated as this throughout the whole game because it clearly meant one hell of a lot to him.
After a season where trophy after trophy has slipped away from their grasp, Guardiola has clearly got his sights set on a third FA Cup in nine years. The travelling City fans were singing about Wembley and now they have a semi-final date with Nottingham Forest after their impressive second-half turnaround.
Erling Haaland was on target after a hat-trick of missed first-half chances – including a missed penalty – along with Omar Marmoush who got the winner. But City’s real hero was half-time substitute Nico O’Reilly who not only provided both assists but also the energy missing from the first half.
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O’Reilly, 20, normally an attacking midfielder, slotted in at left-back, did all the damage with his pace and accuracy while Bournemouth just ran out of steam. You had to feel a bit sorry for Bournemouth who were missing key defenders Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen through suspension and it looks as if Andoni Iraola’s men are beginning the feel the effects of a gruelling season.
But City showed no mercy and Guardiola was not buying any hard luck stories as he was even booked for a sarcastic slow handclap towards the fourth official when his emotions began to boil over. Incredibly, this is the seventh consecutive season City have reached the FA Cup semi-final and Guardiola deserves huge respect for embracing such a huge part of English football history.
Everyone has been talking about a wide open year in the FA Cup but with City looming large – despite all their problems this season – they still look a formidable obstacle to every other team in the last four. City started well enough but Haaland was guilty of missing a big chance – glancing wide Matheus Nunes’s cross – even before missing from the penalty spot.
Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams conceded a clear penalty through handball. Up stepped Haaland but keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made an excellent save. Incredibly, Haaland has now missed three of his last six spot-kicks. Haaland went through again but lifted the ball over. It did not look like being his day and Bournemouth punished City’s wasteful finishing with a 21st minute opener.
Nunes’ careless pass gave the ball to Lewis Cook, David Brooks stood up a clever cross which was pulled back by Justin Kluivert and Evanilson tapped home from almost on the goal line. Guardiola made a change at half-time. O’Reilly came on for Abdukodir Khusanov and City reshuffled at the back. They immediately looked better.
It was O’Reilly who burst down the left, his cross was on a plate for Haaland and this time even he could not miss. Mind you, that was his 39th goal for club and country this season. Haaland hobbled off after 61 minutes and was replaced by Marmoush. Almost immediately Marmoush was on target.
O’Reilly seized on some sloppiness by Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. O’Reilly then made a lovely turn and set up fellow substitute Marmoush whose shot should have been saved by Kepa. It was City who actually looked more likely to score again rather than Bournemouth equalising. Marmoush had one effort cleared off the line while Ilkay Gundogan hit the post.
And there were just little glimpses in City’s passing and movement that their best form is returning. But maybe it will need the FA Cup to make everyone believe they are back.
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