Manchester City secured their place in the FA Cup semi-finals for the seventh consecutive season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday afternoon. In a match that showcased both resilience and tactical adaptability, Pep Guardiola’s side overcame a first-half deficit to keep their hopes of silverware alive in a challenging 2024-25 campaign.
The game started with Bournemouth asserting their intent, buoyed by their historic 2-1 Premier League win over City earlier this season. The Cherries took the lead in the 17th minute through Evanilson, who poked home a scuffed shot from Justin Kluivert following a clever chipped cross by David Brooks. The goal came shortly after Erling Haaland saw a penalty saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga, a moment that seemed to ignite Bournemouth’s belief. City struggled to find rhythm in the first half, with their possession-heavy approach stifled by Bournemouth’s high pressing and energetic play.
“We were the better team in the first half,” Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola reflected post-match. “We had the intensity, the aggression, and we capitalized on our chance. But we couldn’t maintain it after the break.”
Guardiola’s halftime adjustments proved decisive. Introducing Nico O’Reilly at the interval, City emerged with renewed purpose. The young substitute made an immediate impact, setting up Haaland for the equalizer in the 52nd minute. O’Reilly’s pinpoint cross found the Norwegian striker, who made amends for his earlier miss with a clinical finish past Kepa. The momentum shifted firmly in City’s favor, and their pressure paid off again in the 67th minute when Omar Marmoush, on for the injured Haaland, latched onto a loose ball to fire home the winning goal.
Haaland’s departure in the 60th minute due to a left ankle injury cast a shadow over City’s victory, with Guardiola offering no immediate update on the severity. “We’ll assess him tomorrow,” the Spaniard said. “He tried to continue, but he couldn’t. Hopefully, it’s not too serious.”
Bournemouth, despite their spirited first-half display, faded after the interval. Their last shot of the game came in the 38th minute, and City’s dominance in possession—finishing with two-thirds of the ball—left the hosts chasing shadows. Iraola acknowledged the drop-off: “We lacked the same energy in the second half. City took control, and we couldn’t respond effectively.”
For Guardiola, the win was a testament to his team’s character amid a season plagued by injuries and inconsistent form. “Seven times in a row into the semi-finals of the FA Cup—that’s an outstanding achievement,” he said. “This is one of the toughest places to come because of how they play. At halftime, I told the guys the game was in their hands, even though we were losing. Nico’s impact was really good, but everyone stepped up.”
City had further chances to extend their lead, with Ilkay Gundogan striking the post in the 82nd minute and Kevin De Bruyne forcing a solid save from Kepa in stoppage time. Bournemouth, meanwhile, struggled to muster a late rally, with their final substitution—Daniel Jebbison for Marcos Senesi—failing to spark a comeback.
The victory sets up a Wembley semi-final clash with Nottingham Forest, who defeated City earlier this season, while Aston Villa and Crystal Palace will contest the other tie. For Bournemouth, the defeat ends their dream of a first-ever FA Cup semi-final appearance, though their performance underscored their growing stature under Iraola.
“We need to recover quickly,” Iraola added, looking ahead to their next Premier League fixture. “We’re disappointed, but there’s still a lot to play for this season.”