Manchester City demonstrated their resilience with a comeback victory over Bournemouth, edging past the Cherries 2-1 to book a historic seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final berth.
The win also extended their staggering run of 15 consecutive away victories in the competition.
With their Premier League ambitions falling short, Pep Guardiola’s men saw the FA Cup as a prime opportunity to claim silverware. Bournemouth began the match on the front foot, but City gradually found their rhythm, creating early chances.
Erling Haaland was heavily involved, first glancing a Matheus Nunes cross narrowly wide before earning a penalty when Tyler Adams handled the ball.
However, Kepa Arrizabalaga thwarted the Norwegian’s effort with a brilliant save, diving to his left. Haaland later spurned another opportunity, chipping over the bar when clean through on goal. City’s failure to capitalise proved costly.
A lapse in City’s defensive zone allowed Bournemouth to strike. David Brooks delivered a cross from the right, and while Justin Kluivert’s effort was goal-bound, Evanilson reacted quickest to smash the ball home, making it two goals in as many games against City.
In response, Guardiola turned to academy starlet Nico O’Reilly at halftime, and the youngster made an immediate impact. Just four minutes into the second half, he surged down the left flank and squared the ball across for Haaland, who slotted home the equaliser at the far post.
City suffered a setback when Haaland limped off on the hour mark, but substitute Omar Marmoush wasted no time stepping up.
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Only two minutes after entering the fray, the Egyptian took advantage of O’Reilly’s pressing on Antoine Semenyo and poked home what proved to be the winning goal.
Marmoush nearly added a third, but Marcos Senesi’s goal-line clearance denied his header.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, saw their attacking spark fizzle out and were fortunate not to concede again when İlkay Gündoğan rattled the post.
Despite early struggles, City’s strong second-half display ensured their FA Cup journey remained alive, keeping them in the hunt for a crucial piece of silverware in an otherwise challenging campaign.
