Manchester City came from behind at half-time to beat Bournemouth and progress to the FA Cup semi-finals for the seventh consecutive season.
Evanilson had given the Cherries the lead in the first half after Erling Haaland’s missed penalty, but the Norwegian striker levelled the scoring in the second half, tapping in from substitute Nico O’Reilly’s low cross.
O’Reilly was involved again, flicking the ball into the path of fellow substitute Omar Marmoush, who gave City the lead with his first FA Cup goal.
The Blues will now face Nottingham Forest in the semi-final at Wembley towards the end of April, and they’ll face either Aston Villa or Crystal Palace in the final if they beat Nuno Espirito Santos’ side.
Here are three things we learned as City won on the south coast:
O’Reilly has earned himself a spot againstLeicester
AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Not many people will have watched that first half and thought that what was needed in order to change the game was to bring on O’Reilly for Abdukodir Khusanov, but it worked.
Pep Guardiola’s team selection was criticised before the game, with the likes of Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku on the bench with Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne and Mateo Kovacic preferred in those areas.
All four have struggled at times this season, but they were excellent in the second half yesterday.
City as a whole struggled yesterday, with many unforced errors coming from the likes of Khusanov, Bernardo, Ruben Dias, Ederson, Matheus Nunes and others, but O’Reilly changed the game at half time.
Nunes and Josko Gvardiol were given attacking license in the first half, and whilst I think the Croatian was City’s best player in the first half, he didn’t have nearly as much joy as O’Reilly.
The 20-year-old enjoyed attacking the space down flank from left back, and perhaps with a left footed centre back next to him he thrived more.
He linked up well with De Bruyne and later Jack Grealish on the left hand side. His technicality and composure at the edge of the box was essential in helping City dominate the ball high up the pitch, and he chipped in with two well earned assists.
Guardiola has already said that he’s in line to play against Forest in the semi final at the end of this month. I think he’ll start against Leicester too, and I would love to see him start in the match after that too - the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. It’ll be attest of his mettle, but I think he’s got what it takes.
Haaland’s injury could be a huge blow
AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
The negative from yesterday - other than the first half performance - was the apparent injury suffered by Haaland.
The 24-year-old was seen leaving the stadium on crutches with a protective boot on his left foot after clashing with the advertisement hoardings, which may just be a precaution, but it doesn’t look promising.
Haaland was wasteful in front of goal yesterday, missing two good chances as well as a penalty, but his impact on the team can’t be understated.
He scored his 30th goal of what has been a frustrating season for everyone involved at City. He’s struggled with service a lot of the time, but he continues scoring.
Not just that, but his presence creates room for others, and helps City play a more direct game that can often be successful like in the 4-0 win against Newcastle last month.
Winning the FA Cup and securing the top four is the goal for the rest of this season, and both will take a significant blow if Haaland is going to be out.
The “legends” still have it in them
AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final Photo by Harry Murphy - Danehouse/Getty Images
After the game, Guardiola praised the “legends” who stepped up their game in the second half to help City advance to the FA Cup semi finals.
By this, I assume he’s referencing Bernardo, Gundogan, De Bruyne and potentially Dias, but really all the older players made their mark.
Ederson and Kovacic were both good, having faced plenty of criticism this season, and like the others really improved at half time.
Another legend whose impact on the game can’t be overlooked is Guardiola himself. Once again, when people were doubting him most, he made a decisive change at half time to swing the tie in City’s favour.
I’m still of the opinion that a fair few of these players have to leave this summer, to bring fresh blood into the club and preserve their legacies as club legends. But they’re all still very good footballers with a role to play as we approach the end of the season.