Manchester City came from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals at the Vitality Stadium.
The win means the reigning Premier League champions are in the semi-finals for a seventh successive season.
The game on the south coast began with early pressure from City, who were awarded a penalty in the 12th minute when Bernardo Silva’s cross struck the raised arm of Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams.
However, Erling Haaland’s weak spot-kick was comfortably saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga, keeping the score level. Haaland then squandered another golden opportunity just minutes later, lifting a chipped effort over the crossbar when through on goal.
Bournemouth took full advantage of City’s early wastefulness and took the lead in the 21st minute. Ryan Christie’s interception allowed David Brooks to send in a delightful cross to the far post.
Justin Kluivert helped it goalward, and Evanilson was on hand to apply the finishing touch on the line, giving the Cherries a 1-0 advantage.
Pep Guardiola responded by making a key substitution at half-time, bringing on 18-year-old Nico O’Reilly for Abdukodir Khusanov.
The move paid off almost immediately, as O’Reilly made a telling impact four minutes into the second half. Bursting forward from left-back, he delivered a perfectly weighted cross to the back post, where Haaland finally found his mark, tapping in from close range to level the score at 1-1.
FULL-TIME | FA Cup semi-finalists! 🙌
🍒 1-2 🩵 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/y2Nc9dVL1k
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 30, 2025
City continued to dominate possession, with Jack Grealish coming off the bench to add extra dynamism to their attack.
In the 63rd minute, another City substitute proved decisive. O’Reilly was involved again, linking up with Omar Marmoush, whose low strike slipped under Kepa and into the net to complete City’s turnaround.
The Bournemouth goalkeeper will have been disappointed not to have kept the effort out, but City capitalised on their pressure at a key moment with Haaland limping off.
The hosts attempted to respond, introducing fresh legs in search of an equaliser. Adam Smith, Alex Scott and Daniel Jebbison were all introduced in the final stages, but they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
Justin Kluivert and Lewis Cook picked up yellow cards as frustration grew for the hosts.
Grealish nearly put the game beyond doubt in the 82nd minute when his intricate dribbling led to a chance for Ilkay Gundogan, who saw his shot strike the base of a post. City continued to control possession, frustrating Bournemouth as they struggled to win the ball back in the closing minutes.
Despite six minutes of added time, Bournemouth failed to carve out a final chance, and City saw out the match to secure their place in the semi-finals.
City will now look ahead to playing Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium, while Bournemouth can take pride in their spirited performance despite falling short. Ultimately, City’s superior individual quality was what earned them their place in the last four of the FA Cup once again.
