Man City comeback books seventh straight FA Cup semi-final | OneFootball

Manchester City are through to the FA Cup semi-finals for the seventh straight season after a 2-1 win at Bournemouth.

Pep Guardiola’s side survived a missed Erling Haaland penalty and falling a goal behind to fight back and book a semi-final date with Nottingham Forest at Wembley.

City started strong on the south coast and were awarded a penalty after just 12 minutes. Tyler Adams was penalised for a handball with few complaints at the decision.

Haaland, however, was denied as Kepa Arrizabalaga guessed right to save from the Norwegian. City’s leading scorer then wasted another glorious chance when he lifted over when through on goal. Haaland could have had a first-half hat-trick and City were punished for his wastefulness on 20 minutes.

Matheus Nunes – who endured a torrid time against Antoine Semenyo at right-back – gifted Bournemouth possession with a slack pass and Evanilson bundled in after Justin Kluivert had met David Brooks’ cross at the back post.

Guardiola turned to the bench at the break and City’s substitutes turned the game around. Nico O’Reilly’s impact was instant as the full-back surged forward to set up Haaland for the equaliser just four minutes after his introduction.

O’Reilly was the creator again for the second, as clever round-the-corner pass freed fellow substitute Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian slotted home his fifth goal since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt in January. Kepa, however, will be disappointed with his role in the goal.

City advance to the last four as the Blues target a third straight final appearance. The FA Cup represents City’s last chance of silverware this season and Bernardo Silva admitted that was a factor in his side’s ability to dig deep.

“I think the motivation that this is the only hope of us winning something [pulled us through],” he said to ITV Sport.

“The team played a really good game, a really aggressive game – we are really happy today.”

On O’Reilly, who has now scored three goals and provided two assists in the FA Cup this season, Silva added: “He was unbelievable. Against Plymouth he showed the impact he can have on the game and the energy he brought today changed the game. That’s what we need.”

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