Football

Pep Guardiola Masterstroke Guides Manchester City To FA Cup Semi Final After Narrow Victory Over Bournemouth

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Manchester City booked their place in the FA Cup semi-final after beating Bournemouth 2-1 and you can watch the highlights below.

Pep Guardiola’s side will enter the FA Cup semi final once again after Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush put Bournemouth’s cup run to an end.

City got off to a strong start and had the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot after a Tyler Adams handball, however the usually reliable Haaland saw his effort saved by Kepa.

The Cherries had chances of their own, with Justin Kluivert, Evanilson and David Brooks leading a relentless press on the Manchester City defence.

This pressure was rewarded in the 21st minute, as the Cherries won the ball high up the pitch and Kluivert latched onto a cross from Brooks and his effort trickled towards the line as Evanilson smashed the ball home from close range.

Neither side could muster a strong chance for the rest of the first half and Bournemouth went into the break with a slender 1-0 lead.

After just four minutes of the second half this FA Cup quarter final was level, as substitute Nico O’Reilly made an instant impact by playing a killer to Haaland and the Norwegian finished emphatically.

City were hit with a major blow as Haaland was forced off with an injury and Omar Marmoush was brought on as a replacement – as the Egyptian made a huge impact after just two minutes.

The former Frankfurt star collected the ball inside the 18-yard box and managed to squeeze the ball past Kepa to give the visitors a one-goal lead.

City continued to have the better chances for the majority of the second half, with Marmoush coming close to finding his second of the match.

Bournemouth could not find an equaliser and Guardiola’s men saw the game out to reach the FA Cup semi finals – leaving them as favourites to win the competition on UK betting sites.

WATCH: Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester City Highlights

Manchester City will now face Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium, as City look to reach their third consecutive FA Cup final.

As for Bournemouth, the Cherries will direct their focus back to the Premier League as they sit  10th in the league and just five points off Champions League football.