Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush scored for Manchester City in a 2-1 comeback win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, leaving City’s hope for an FA Cup in tact into the semifinal round.
What may not quite be in tact is Haaland, who left the game with an apparent ankle injury after James Cook fell on him shortly after his equalizer led to Marmoush’s entry into the game.
Nico O’Reilly came off the bench to set up both City goals, and Pep Guardiola’s lauded him as a starter for the semifinal.
MORE — FA Cup schedule | List of FA Cup winners, finals
City will meet Nottingham Forest in the semifinal round at Wembley Stadium on either April 26 or 27.
The FA Cup is Manchester City’s last reasonable chance at a trophy this season and one that survived a game challenge for Andoni Iraola and the Cherries, who had claimed a preference for the trophy over European qualification.
Instead Bournemouth refocus on their Premier League table status following a slim loss, as Evanilson’s early goal did not hold up at home.
Man City send stern reminder to Premier League
Pep Guardiola is a good manager and Manchester City a very talented team, and their drop-offs this season in both the Premier League and Champions League have led to an over-correction in how many are viewing them. Yes, the side have a huge hole at right back, are still without Rodri, could use an upgrade in goalkeeper, and aren’t quite comfortable in attack in what’s become a fast-break season. Those are valid concerns, but the collection of talent at Guardiola’s talent is still beyond that of many teams. Andoni Iraola’s midfield pressure looked terrific early but once City sorted it out they played themselves into a number of huge chances. This could’ve easily been a 4-1 game and while all four semifinalists could win the FA Cup, there’s no question who the heavy favorite is to win the tournament.
Pep Guardiola reaction — Man City ‘outstanding’ in win
“We did it — Seven times in a row into the semi-finals of the FA Cup,” Guardiola said, via Sky Sports. “I’m sorry to tell you but this is an outstanding achievement. That means this generation of players have done this for so many years. They have come to one of the toughest away places to come because of the way they play and the intensity.”
“At half time, I said to the guys, you have the game in your hands even though you are not winning. So keep going and after the impact from Nico was really, really good. Not just him but everyone, we are really pleased.”
On getting a measure of revenge at Bournemouth: “In November we came here with flip flops. We came hare for the holiday against a team that competes. Today, we were a team and we challenged. In football you have to run. We love the FA Cup. Hopefully, we can reach the final.”
Bournemouth vs Manchester City player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Bournemouth vs Manchester City player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Bournemouth vs Manchester City player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
City will meet Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium for a semifinal on April 26 or 27, but there’s plenty of Premier League action for Guardiola’s men before then — Man City host Leicester on Wednesday afternoon before visiting Manchester United on Sunday.
Bournemouth host Ipswich Town on Wednesday, then go to West Ham on Saturday.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30am ET Sunday
Venue: Vitality Stadium — Bournemouth
TV/streaming: ESPN+
Bournemouth vs Manchester City final score: 1-2
Evanilson 21', Erling Haaland 49', Omar Marmoush 63'
Bournemouth vs Manchester City live updates
Full time — Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester City
Not quite laborious for City, and a decent watch for the neutrals even if Bournemouth weren’t at their very best.
Shots finish 15-5 in City’s favor, with 64% of the ball and expected goals advantage of 2.92-1.67.
Subs
Bournemouth had sent in Alex Scott and Adam Smith for Evanilson and Christie. Daniel Jebbison then took the place of Marcos Sensesi.
City also have freshened things up for the final few minutes, as Nico Gonzalez and James McAtee replaced Mateo Kovacic and Gundogan.
Nice from Jack Grealish
Bournemouth are letting City look more like the City of old, as Jack Grealish and Ilkay Gundogan show some vintage interplay on the left.
Grealish then finds his opening with aplomb before laying off for a prime opportunity that City smash off the far post.
Still just 2-1, now in the 83rd minute.
Man City sub
Jack Grealish will take the place of Phil Foden in the 69th minute.
Omar Marmoush goal (video) — Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester City (63rd minute)
The sub delivers off a second-assist of the day for fellow sub O’Reilly.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will want that one back.
Omar Marmoush with the finish for @ManCity 🇪🇬
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 30, 2025
He's been on the pitch for less than 2 minutes 🤯#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/uArYUsexFy
Erling Haaland injury
It’s a painful-looking one, as James Cook falls onto the ankle of a striding-free Haaland.
The Norwegian is treated by trainers and tries to play on to no avail. Omar Marmoush takes his place in the 61st minute.
Bournemouth subs
Julio Soler and David Brooks exit in the 57th minute for James Hill and Dango Ouattara.
Erling Haaland goal (video) — Bournemouth 1-1 Manchester City (49th minute)
O’Reilly drives down the left and sends a cross to the open back post, where Haaland simply has to open up his right hip and snap the ball home for 1-1.
Instant impact from Nico O'Reilly ⚡️
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 30, 2025
The academy-graduate puts it on a plate for Erling Haaland, who scores for @ManCity 👏#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/mFHNNuzXfN
Foden denied
Bernardo Silva’s cheeky back leg interception gives Phil Foden the chance to turn and drive at the Bournemouth back line.
Haaland slips wide to create room for his left foot, but Foden uses the Norwegian as a decoy and cuts onto his left only to see the chance saved by Arrizabalaga.
Man City sub
Khusanov, who was on a yellow card, comes off for Nico O’Reilly. Khusanov wasn’t City’s issue, so this may be down to the caution.
Guardiola is making his attack figure it out. Will that cost them their hopes of a cup?
Halftime — Bournemouth 1-0 Manchester City
Kepa Arrizabalaga is one of the heroes of the half, as who knows how this match would feel had Haaland converted his penalty kick for City.
Haaland and Tyler Adams are the lowercase-g goats, while City’s team have been controlled in the middle of the park and central areas of the final third as well.
Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne are both lively but without cutting edge. It’s also clear that City lack a right back worth deploying in games like this, as evidenced by Matheus Nunes — far from good enough at the back — is preferred over Rico Lewis.
Bournemouth have to feel very good about this, but City do have Nico Gonzalez, Jeremy Doku, and Omar Marmoush amongst the subs.
Evanilson goal — Bournemouth 1-0 Man City (21st minute)
David Brooks gets the ball on the right side and shapes a left-footed chipped cross back across goal.
Justin Kluivert has the better of Matheus Nunes thanks to an acrobatic leap and pushes the ball toward the line.
It’s unclear whether it’s an Evanilson touch — maybe? — or the sliding Abdukhodir Khusanov that makes the final touch over the line but it was headed home anyway.
The Cherries have taken advantage of Haaland’s frustrating first 20 minutes in front of goal.
BOURNEMOUTH STRIKE FIRST 🍒
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 30, 2025
Evanilson bundles in to give @afcbournemouth the opener against Manchester City 😲#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/1kbE0ewrHO
Haaland misses on break!
It’s been a bad start for Adams, who nods back too deep and Haaland races onto the loose ball.
Arrizabalaga closes down Haaland, but the Norwegian’s chip gets by the keeper.... and the cross bar.
0-0, 17'.
Erling Haaland penalty SAVED
The Norwegian steps to the spot and will stare down Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Haaland’s low penalty is caught by the Chelsea loanee!
0-0, 14'.
HAALAND MISSES FROM THE SPOT 😮
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 30, 2025
Kepa Arrizabalaga with a huge save for @afcbournemouth 💪
Just wait for Noel Gallagher's reaction 😬#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/IbN0NeYYNQ
Bournemouth penalty
USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams is vexed as Bernardo Silva’s chipped pass from close range hits the Cherry’s bicep and forearm.
The referee points to the spot.
Just wide from Haaland
Matheus Nunes gets down the right flank and sails a cross to the back post.
Erling Haaland is there but his header is wide of the near post by a foot.
Cherries hurrying City into mistakes
The midfield pressure has been exceptional from Bournemouth, who have won a pair of free kicks off Ilkay Gundogan.
The second comes in the ninth minute after Tyler Adams earned a one from 35 yards, but Justin Kluivert offered the ball to the sun and City have a goal kick.
0-0.
Bournemouth lineup
Arrizabalaga, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Cook, Soler, Adams, Christie, Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson
Manchester City live
Ederson, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Gundogan, Kovacic, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Foden, Haaland
Bournemouth vs Manchester City preview
The Citizens are out of the Champions League and would need an irrational finish to the Premier League season to even contend for another crown, but Pep Guardiola’s men can claim their eighth FA Cup with just three more wins.
The next hurdle may be the tallest.
Bournemouth have been exceptional this season, a campaign which now includes their first ever win over City in 22 tries — November’s 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium.
The Cherries have seen their European hopes take a bit hit with a 1W-1D-4L run in the Premier League that includes three home losses, the lone win coming against 20th-place Southampton.
But they’ve knocked off a pair of Premier League peers in the FA Cup and see a path to silverware if they can knock off City, as the rest of the traditional ‘Big Six’ have already been eliminated at this stage.
Bournemouth team news, focus
OUT: Julian Araujo (thigh), Enes Unal (knee), Adam Smith (knock)
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: John Stones (thigh), Rodri (torn ACL - MORE), Manuel Akanji (groin), Nathan Ake (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Oscar Bobb (fitness), Bernardo Silva (undisclosed)
Bournemouth vs Manchester City prediction
The odds say this could be tight. The mind says it’ll be tense and perhaps quite fun, as both teams could use this trophy for different reasons. City’s defensive injuries open a door for Bournemouth and vice versa. Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen give the Cherries vibrancy coming out of the back, but that won’t worry City any more than they concerns the young backs. Neutral may be looking to this for the home upstarts, but there have been plenty of Cinderella scripts that’ve played out with shattered glass slippers. Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester City.
