Manchester Metropolis got here from behind to safe a 2-1 win over Bournemouth within the FA Cup quarter-finals on the Vitality Stadium.
The win means the reigning Premier League champions are within the semi-finals for a seventh successive season.
The sport on the south coast started with early strain from Metropolis, who have been awarded a penalty within the twelfth minute when Bernardo Silva’s cross struck the raised arm of Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams.
Nonetheless, Erling Haaland’s weak spot-kick was comfortably saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga, protecting the rating degree. Haaland then squandered one other golden alternative simply minutes later, lifting a chipped effort over the crossbar when by means of on objective.
Bournemouth took full benefit of Metropolis’s early wastefulness and took the lead within the twenty first minute. Ryan Christie’s interception allowed David Brooks to ship in a pleasant cross to the far submit.
Justin Kluivert helped it goalward, and Evanilson was readily available to use the crowning glory on the road, giving the Cherries a 1-0 benefit.
Pep Guardiola responded by making a key substitution at half-time, bringing on 18-year-old Nico O’Reilly for Abdukodir Khusanov.
The transfer paid off nearly instantly, as O’Reilly made a telling affect 4 minutes into the second half. Bursting ahead from left-back, he delivered a wonderfully weighted cross to the again submit, the place Haaland lastly discovered his mark, tapping in from shut vary to degree the rating at 1-1.
FULL-TIME | FA Cup semi-finalists! 🙌
🍒 1-2 🩵 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/y2Nc9dVL1k
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) March 30, 2025
Metropolis continued to dominate possession, with Jack Grealish coming off the bench so as to add further dynamism to their assault.
Within the 63rd minute, one other Metropolis substitute proved decisive. O’Reilly was concerned once more, linking up with Omar Marmoush, whose low strike slipped underneath Kepa and into the online to finish Metropolis’s turnaround.
The Bournemouth goalkeeper can have been disenchanted to not have stored the trouble out, however Metropolis capitalised on their strain at a key second with Haaland limping off.
The hosts tried to reply, introducing contemporary legs searching for an equaliser. Adam Smith, Alex Scott and Daniel Jebbison have been all launched within the remaining levels, however they struggled to create clear-cut alternatives.
Justin Kluivert and Lewis Prepare dinner picked up yellow playing cards as frustration grew for the hosts.
Grealish almost put the sport past doubt within the 82nd minute when his intricate dribbling led to an opportunity for Ilkay Gundogan, who noticed his shot strike the bottom of a submit. Metropolis continued to manage possession, irritating Bournemouth as they struggled to win the ball again within the closing minutes.
Regardless of six minutes of added time, Bournemouth didn’t carve out a remaining probability, and Metropolis noticed out the match to safe their place within the semi-finals.
Metropolis will now stay up for taking part in Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium, whereas Bournemouth can take pleasure of their spirited efficiency regardless of falling brief. In the end, Metropolis’s superior particular person high quality was what earned them their place within the final 4 of the FA Cup as soon as once more.
