The young left-back set up both goals in a resounding second-half display from the Cityzens but there was concern as the Norwegian came off injured
Pep Guardiola used his bench astutely to guide Manchester City out of a tricky FA Cup tie at Bournemouth and into the semi-finals for the seventh year in a row. The Cityzens were on the rocks at half-time, trailing to Evanilson's goal after Erling Haaland had seen a penalty saved, but the Catalan acted decisively and inspired his side to win 2-1 and book their place at Wembley to face Nottingham Forest in the last four.
He chucked on Nico O'Reilly and the inexperienced but thrilling youngster turned the game on its head, setting up Haaland to equalise and then laying off the ball for fellow substitute Omar Marmoush to put City's noses in front. It was a textbook game of two halves as Bournemouth looked confident of reaching the semi-finals for the first time after an excellent 45 minutes but completely faded in the second as City did what they do best and totally controlled the second period.
There was one big negative for City long-term though as Haaland hobbled off with a foot injury. In the short-term, however, the injury ended up benefitting Guardiola's side as Marmoush replaced the Norwegian and struck two minutes later, helped by a clever pass from O'Reilly and some sloppy goalkeeping from the otherwise excellent Kepa Arrizabalaga.
GOAL rates Man City's players from the Vitality Stadium…
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Ederson (5/10):
Didn't command his box or distribute well. Wrong-footed by Kluivert's shot which Evanilson knocked in.
Matheus Nunes (3/10):
Looked uncomfortable even before his double error which led to Bournemouth's goal, gifting possession away in the final third then failing to track Kluivert.
Abdukodir Khusanov (4/10):
Let Evanilson get in front of him to score and then got booked before half-time, making Guardiola's mind up for him and being hauled off at half-time.
Ruben Dias (5/10):
Steered City back to normality after a shy fist half display.
Josko Gvardiol (6/10):
One of City's more comfortable defenders in the first half then shifted to centre-back for the second and looked even more assured.
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Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):
Compensated for his lack of mobility with some clever moves. Hit the post in the second half after being denied by Kepa in the first.
Mateo Kovacic (6/10):
Was key to City having a vice-like grip on the second half.
Bernardo Silva (7/10):
Played with intelligence and dominated the play after half-time. Helped win the penalty.
AFPAttack
Phil Foden (6/10):
Had a pretty quiet game save for an exciting run through the middle which was let down by a poor shot.
Erling Haaland (4/10):
Had a terrible day on the whole despite scoring. Missed three clear efforts, including the penalty, and then picked up a worrying-looking injury.
Kevin De Bruyne (6/10):
Had a bad first half but helped City back into it with his defence-splitting passes, such as the one that released O'Reilly.
AFPSubs & Manager
Nico O'Reilly (8/10):
Changed the game by setting up both goals, continuing his incredible record in the FA Cup which now reads three goals and two assists in four matches.
Omar Marmoush (7/10):
An ideal replacement for Haaland, scoring with his first touch albeit thanks to bad goalkeeping.
Jack Grealish (6/10):
The perfect player to bring on after taking the lead. Held the ball up comfortably and ensured Bournemouth had no chance of getting back in it.
James McAtee (N/A):
An 83rd-minute substitute. Picked up a late booking.
Nico Gonzalez (N/A):
Brought on in the 83rd minute to further shore up the middle.
Pep Guardiola (8/10):
Bringing O'Reilly on was a stroke of genius and he must have had harsh words at half-time as his team came out with a totally different attitude.
