The Bournemouth vs Manchester City FA Cup clash on Sunday was an enthralling contest to watch.
Manchester City earned a place in the FA Cup semi-finals after beating Bournemouth 2-1 in the end.
Pep Guardiola would have been delighted with the win – it meant that his team still have a trophy to play for heading into the final seven weeks of the season.
Nico O’Reilly stole the show for Manchester City during the FA Cup win over Bournemouth, after coming on as a half-time substitute for Abdukodir Khusanov.
The 20-year-old provided two sublime assists for Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush respectively.
Photo by Harry Murphy - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images
Things appear to be looking up at The Etihad once again.
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There will still be a huge turnover of players at City this summer, with Guardiola said to be keen to move on as many as eight players.
The Man City manager may well have to let go some hugely experienced winners as well, if he is to oversee a real transformation at the club.
However, one stalwart proved on Sunday that he still very much has what it takes to make a big difference for City.
Manchester City star Bernardo Silva’s stats in FA Cup win vs Bournemouth
Bernardo Silva, 30, was signed from Monaco way back in 2017 for around £43 million (BBC).
It has been claimed that Bernardo Silva actually wants to stay at Manchester City, despite reports claiming he could leave.
And he proved once again that he is very much a vital player for Pep Guardiola with his performance against the Cherries.
Bernardo had 67 touches, made six tackles, once interception, one clearance and registered two key passes. Incredibly, he wasn’t dispossessed once throughout the entire game (Who Scored).
He may have regressed physically over the past 12 months, but there is definitely a place for him in this City team.
Perhaps Bernardo Silva will play a different role for Manchester City next season, but he’s still very much a key player for Pep.
Nico O’Reilly wows, Erling Haaland injury update comes to light
O’Reilly was sensational when he came on at half-time.
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
The 20-year-old’s energy and dynamism is something that City have severely lacked missed this season.
He possesses exceptional technical ability as well, and will undoubtedly go on to become a star for the Cityzens.
Meanwhile, Haaland was forced off with an injury during the second-half. He left the Vitality Stadium with his foot in a protective boot and on crutches.
Guardiola was asked to provide an update on Haaland after the game.
Manchester Evening News quote Pep as saying:
“I saw him on the massage table but I didn’t speak with him or the doctors so I don’t know.“
Having Erling Haaland missing for any length of time with an injury will be a blow.
But the main positives for Manchester City during their FA Cup win over Bournemouth were the performances of Nico O’Reilly and of course, Bernardo Silva.