City secure Wembley date with FA Cup quarter-final fightback

Manchester City F.C.

·30 March 2025

City secure Wembley date with FA Cup quarter-final fightback

Manchester City secured a place in the FA Cup semi-final for a record seventh successive season with a 2-1 victory at Bournemouth.

Erling Haaland scored his 30th goal of the season and Omar Marmoush struck with his first touch in a superb second half turnaround.

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Bournemouth had taken a first half lead through Evanilson shortly after Haaland had seen a penalty saved by Cherries goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

But City showed their fighting spirit, coming from behind for the third successive FA Cup tie, with Academy graduate Nico O’Reilly making a big impact as a half-time substitute by claiming assists for both goals.

WHAT HAPPENED

Playing just their third FA Cup quarter-final in Bournemouth’s history, a sunny Vitality Stadium had a noisy welcome for the Blues.

But the City fans were also in lively voice on the South Coast, knowing it was a tough test against a side enjoying potentially their best-ever season.

The Cherries were the first team to beat City in the Premier League this season, back in November, and were hoping for a repeat and just their second ever victory against us.

Pep Guardiola opted for experience with Ederson returning to the side and a midfield of Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan and skipper Kevin De Bruyne.

While the home side were energetic - pressing high in the early stages, City created three big chances inside the opening 15 minutes with Haaland missing out.

His header from Matheus Nunes’ drilled cross was off-target and two minutes later he had an opportunity from the penalty spot when Tyler Adams handled Bernardo Silva’s pass in the box.

But Bournemouth keeper Kepa guessed right to stop the striker’s shot low down to his left.

Moments later, Haaland pounced on a stray back pass to race clear but lifted his effort just over the bar as he was closed down by Kepa.

The home side finally made their first big chance in the 21st minute and were clinical, Evanilson’s poking home Justin Kluivert’s touch on the goal-line.

City tried to hit back immediately with Gundogan’s low drive bringing another good save from Kepa but it was to be a frustrating first half despite having two-thirds of possession and more efforts on goal.

Fifth-round hero Nico O’Reilly, who scored twice against Plymouth Argyle, came on at half-time and made an instant impact.

Just three minutes into the second half, the former Academy player burst down the left wing and squared a pass into the path of Haaland to slam home the equaliser.

However, the Norwegian’s afternoon took an unfortunate turn when was forced off through injury in the 61st minute.

His replacement Marmoush took just two minutes to make an impact with a low finish that escaped under Kepa.

Again it was O’Reilly with the assist, pouncing on Antoine Semenyo’s stumble and slipping a clever pass into the Egyptian.

Marmoush almost had a second moments later when he rose to head Bernardo’s cross on target but Marco Senesi got back to clear the ball off the line.

City kept pushing for a third with Gundogan hitting a low strike that struck the bottom of the post.

Seven minutes of injury time gave the home fans hope, but it was City who went closest to adding another goal with James McAtee denied from close range by Kepa.

TEAMS

BOURNEMOUTH: Kepa, Cook, Zabarnyi, Senesi (Jebbison 85), Soler (Hill 57), Adams, Christie (Smith 73), Kluivert, Semenyo, Brooks (Outtara 57), Evanilson (Scott 73)

Subs not used: Dennis, Silcott-Duberry, Akinmboni, Winterburn

CITY: Ederson, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol (O'Reilly 46), Gundogan (Nico 83), Kovacic (McAtee 83), De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden (Grealish 69), Haaland (Marmoush 61)

Subs not used: Ortega Moreno, Doku, Reis, Lewis

STAR MAN

City’s Academy players continue to show their huge potential and O’Reilly made another big contribution in our FA Cup campaign.

O’Reilly has featured in all four of our FA Cup fixtures this season and now has five goal contributions.

He was on target in our third-round 8-0 victory over Salford City and was strong in our win at Leyton Orient.

His brace against Plymouth in the previous round was crucial and it was another significant contribution at the Vitality Stadium with two big assists.

SEVENTH HEAVEN

Last year’s FA Cup run to the final set a new record with six semi-final appearances in a row and today’s result extends it even further.

It just shows how City have competed across all fronts throughout Guardiola’s reign with four successive Premier League titles and four Carabao Cups in a row also completed.

We have now won our last eight FA Cup quarter-final ties.

Victory also means we have won our last 14 away games in the FA Cup, scoring 42 goals and conceding just 11 with a run that stretches back to 2018.

PEP GUARDIOLA’S REACTION

"Comparing the game [with the one] we played in November - we came here with flipflops, we came here for aholiday against a team that competes.

"Today, we were a team and we challenged. In football you have to run.

"We love the FA Cup. Hopefully, we can reach the final."

BERNARDO REACTION

"I think the motivation that this is the only hope of us winning something [pulled us through]. The team played a really good game, a really aggressive game - we are really happy today.

"[O'Reilly] 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."