Manchester City Mounts Comeback To Defeat Bournemouth And Reach FA Cup Semis

‎Manchester City overcame a determined Bournemouth side with a commanding 2-1 comeback victory, securing their position in the semi-finals of the historic tournament for an unprecedented seventh consecutive time.

‎This result marks City’s 15th consecutive away win in the FA Cup and also offers a glimmer of hope in what has been a trying season for Pep Guardiola’s men.

‎Slow Start for City

‎As the match kicked off at the Vitality Stadium, the Cherries were eager to capitalize on their home advantage, launching themselves into an aggressive start that initially had City on the back foot.

‎However, as the first half progressed, City began to find their rhythm. The Norwegian striker Erling Haaland had a couple of promising chances that could have shifted the momentum in favor of the visitors.

‎His first opportunity came from a Matheus Nunes cross, but he disappointingly directed his header wide of the target.

‎With the match reaching its critical moments, a golden opportunity arose when Tyler Adams was penalized for a handball in the box, granting Haaland a chance to put City ahead from the penalty spot.

‎In what was a shocking twist, Haaland had his shot brilliantly saved by Bournemouth’s goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who dove to his left to deny Haaland. This moment could have easily deflated City’s confidence, and it wasn’t long before it became a pivotal moment in the match.

‎Bournemouth Strikes First

‎Just moments later, the visitors faced a crushing blow when they lost possession deep in their half.

‎Bournemouth seized the opportunity, transitioning quickly as David Brooks swung a dangerous cross into the box. Justin Kluivert, waiting patiently at the back post, attempted a weak shot which was on course to trickle over the line before Everton’s Evanilson reacted instinctively, ensuring the ball crossed the goal line.

‎With this goal, Bournemouth had taken a surprising lead.

‎Second-Half Revival

‎Determined to turn the tide, Guardiola made a bold move at the half, introducing academy graduate Nico O’Reilly as a tactical substitution.

‎The impact was immediate and electrifying. Within just four minutes of the restart, O’Reilly executed a sudden burst of pace down the left flank, floating a precise square ball to Haaland, who made no mistake tapping in the equalizer at the back post.

‎However, disaster struck once more as Haaland was forced to exit the match due to injury. With his absence felt heavily in the attack, it was up to the substitutes to find a solution.

‎Enter Omar Marmoush, who made an immediate impact. Just two minutes after coming on, Marmoush was in the right place at the right time, sliding into prod home after O’Reilly had dispossessed Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.

‎City’s Defensive Resolve

‎Despite Bournemouth’s valiant efforts to claw back into the match, City’s defense held firm. Marmoush nearly extended the lead when he had a header cleared off the line by Marcos Senesi as Bournemouth scrambled to keep themselves in the contest.

‎Meanwhile, City continued to press, with İlkay Gündoğan rattling the woodwork and James McAtee being denied by another brilliant save from Arrizabalaga in stoppage time.

‎As the final whistle blew, Bournemouth was left lamenting what could have been their first-ever FA Cup semi-final appearance, with an unflattering record of 20 defeats.

‎Looking Ahead

‎For Manchester City, this victory serves as a crucial step in a season that has seen its share of challenges. They will now face Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals, aiming to avenge their loss in last year’s final.