Manchester City reached the FA Cup semi-final for a record-breaking seventh consecutive season after claiming a 2-1 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Following on from the international break, City had a difficult task on their hands as they looked to throw a high-flying Bournemouth side off their perch in order to advance in the last cup competition they are competing in.
City started the game with intent, threatening Bournemouth’s goal immediately and earning a penalty courtesy of a Tyler Adams handball after 13 minutes.
The Norwegian stepped up and fired a tame effort into the bottom right corner which was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga comfortably. Haaland had another guilt-edged chance moments later as he broke through and went one-on-one with the Spaniard, but lifted his effort over the keeper and over the bar.
Moments after the flurry of City chances, the hosts went up at the other end after a mistake from Matheus Nunes, gifting the ball to the Cherries and the resulting attack saw Justin Kluivert direct a header into the path of Evanilson, who had the simplest of tap-ins to give Bournemouth the lead.
City made a change at the break as Nico O’Reilly was introduced. O’Reilly made an instant impact, driving down the left before firing a ball to the back stick where a certain Erling Haaland was standing to equalise.
Haaland couldn’t continue after picking up a foot injury on the concrete, with the 24-year-old limping off before being replaced by Omar Marmoush, who went on to make an impact off the bench of his own.
Two minutes after his introduction, Marmoush found himself in the penalty area and on the end of a deft little touch from O’Reilly, who played the ball into the feet of Marmoush, who’s low effort crept underneath Arrizabalaga in goal to give City a crucial advantage.
City closed the game out in the style of champions, keeping Bournemouth at arm’s length by dictating the tempo off the match and eventually getting their just rewards, earning themselves a spot in this season’s FA Cup semi-final, where they will face Nottingham Forest at Wembley.
With that being said, here are five things we learned from City’s 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday evening!
1. Nico O’Reilly is the future of this club!
Hero of the FA Cup fifth-round against Plymouth Argyle, Nico O’Reilly stepped up to the mark once again with another massive impact – this time off the bench – delivering two assists to give City an all-important edge in the second half.
