Bournemouth 1-2 Man City: Pep Guardiola inspires comeback win as City book FA Cup semi-final date | OneFootball

City come from behind to secure FA Cup semi-final spot

Manchester City are through to yet another FA Cup semi-final after coming from behind to beat Bournemouth.

Pep Guardiola’s side were beaten by the Cherries on their last visit to the Vitality Stadium earlier in the season, and for 45 minutes it looked like they were going to suffer the same fate from the Premier League fixture.

However, some inspired substitutions from the Spanish tactician in the second half proved to be the difference and Man City will face Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium next month for the chance to reach a third consecutive FA Cup final.

However, Kepa guessed right to keep out Haaland’s effort - which despite having plenty of power wasn’t in the corner - to keep the score level.

Moments later, the usually prolific Norwegian made it a hat-trick of missed chances as he raced onto a ball over the top, entered the box, lifted the ball over Kepa who had gone to ground, but his dinked effort landed on top of the net.

That proved to be a turning point as Bournemouth took the lead, slightly against the run of play and it was all Man City’s undoing.

Matheus Nunes gifted away possession with a poor cross-field pass, David Brooks ended up swinging in a teasing cross which Justin Kluivert poked towards goal and Evanilson, on the line, bundled the ball home to make sure of the goal.

Within five minutes of the second half, City were level as Guardiola’s half-time substitution paid off immediately.

City’s FA Cup fifth round hero against Plymouth in Nico O'Reilly - on for Abdukodir Khusanov - found space on the left and put the ball on a plate for Haaland who slid in at the back post to net his 30th goal of the season across all competitions.

The Norwegian wouldn’t get the chance for number 31 as he limped off on the hour mark, though his replacement Omar Marmoush made an instant impact.

O’Reilly was involved again as he poked the ball through to Marmoush and his low shot somehow went through Kepa and into the back of the net to give City something to hold on to.

In truth, City nullified Bournemouth in the second half and came close to extending their lead when Ilkay Gundogan struck the post and James McAtee was denied by Kepa from close range. Not that it mattered much as Guardiola’s side eased home to reach a seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final.