Bournemouth 1–2 Manchester City Player Ratings: The Citizens Quash Bournemouth Dreams by Making It to the Last 4 of the FA Cup

Manchester City completed a fine comeback to win 2-1 against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth took the lead on a historic evening through Evanilson after Erling Haaland missed a trio of glittering chances, including a penalty. Pep Guardiola changed the game in the second half by introducing Nico O’Reilly.

It was Haaland who eventually found the equaliser for the visitors. Omar Marmoush stepped off the bench to score with one of his first touches as the complexion of the game changed. Pep Guardiola’s side used all their experience to make sure that they made it to the semis. They created history by making it to the last four for the seventh time consecutively.

Andoni Iraola was eyeing history coming into this game. He has the chance to immortalise himself at Bournemouth if he can successfully guide his side to the title. His side was not in the best of forms, but he was confident that his team could get the result over a strong Manchester City side.

Marcos Senesi returned to the starting lineup ahead of the suspended Dean Huijsen after a muscle injury suffered in December. Julio Soler started at left-back for the second FA Cup game running as Milos Kerkez was suspended as well. The midfield and attack had regulars, as David Brooks found a spot on the right wing.

Pep Guardiola was on the brink of going trophyless just for the second time in his illustrious career. This season was nothing short of an empire collapsing in front of his own eyes. If there is a small chance to salvage it, it is through an FA Cup triumph.

Given the spending spree in January, this is expected at the least from his side. Also, given the fact that they are the only sides with a rich trophy-winning pedigree in recent times, they are expected to win this cup. He trusted his old guard to deliver as Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan all started ahead of the new signings.

The game had an intense start as both sides were quite attacking and pressed right from the kickoff. Manchester City’s stars were taken aback by Bournemouth’s brilliant start. Justin Kluivert skied a free kick from a decent position before City built their first attack. Matheus Nunes played a lovely cross and Erling Haaland had a free header wide of the target.

The English champions made their attacks count as Bernardo Silva drew a handball from Tyler Adams in the 12th minute, and the referee pointed to the spot without a doubt. Haaland took the resulting penalty, and Kepa Arrizabalaga rose to the occasion with a terrific save. The Spaniard guessed it right and dove to his left at full stretch and grabbed hold of the ball. Haaland missed yet another chance when he raced clear with only Kepa to beat.

Bournemouth added insult to injury as they capitalised on yet another defensive catastrophe from Manchester City. Nunes gave the ball away across his half, and a couple of passes later, Kluivert kept a David Brooks cross alive on the left side as it nearly trickled over the line. Evanilson was on hand to make sure that the job was done and tapped it over to give Bournemouth a deserved lead. Manchester City were shell-shocked and looked to recover with some attacking moves.

It led to an open game as both sides started going for it. Bournemouth, however, looked likely to score the next goal as City were defensively susceptible. But the visitors had decent opportunities during the breaks as Phil Foden created a chance for Haaland. Kevin De Bruyne had a trademark shot from outside the box go high and wide of the target. It summed up their evening as they left it all to do in the second half.

Pep Guardiola threw on Nico O’Reilly at halftime at left-back. The sub worked wonders as he teed up Erling Haaland, who made no mistake this time to level the contest just minutes into the second half. Haaland then had to leave the pitch early as he seemingly picked up an injury, allowing the January signing Omar Marmoush to take centre stage.

It was the substitutes saving the day once again for Manchester City as O’Reilly slipped in Marmoush, who squeezed a shot through Kepa in the 63rd minute to turn the game on its head and give City the lead.

Bournemouth’s dream was crumbling in front of their own eyes as City took charge of the game. The Blues used their game intelligence and experience to control the tempo and see out crucial moments while also creating good chances.

The Cherries completely faded out as the game edged towards the full-time whistle. They were well beaten by a Manchester City side that well and truly turned up in the second half.

Andani Iraola would be disappointed with a defeat in a crucial game. He has a huge task on hand to arrest this slide in form and recover to at least grab a European spot to show for this promising season. The Cherries host Ipswich on Wednesday night in the league.

Manchester City would be eyeing to win another FA Cup and save face this season after facing humiliation in every single competition. They will be heavy favourites in the next two games at Wembley if they are to go all the way. They will take on Nottingham Forest in the semis at Wembley in the cup next. A midweek league fixture sees them take on Leicester.

Here are the Bournemouth vs Manchester City Player Ratings.

Bournemouth Player Ratings

GK – Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7/10

A fantastic save to deny Erling Haaland from 12 yards out. Did well to distract Haaland for his next chance. Could’ve done better for the second goal as it went straight through him.

RB – Lewis Cook – 6/10

The makeshift right-back played a key role in the first goal as he released Brooks with some excellent thinking.

CB – Illia Zabarnyi – 6/10

Gave good company to Haaland all afternoon and only lost him occasionally.

CB – Marcos Senesi – 6/10

Didn’t look rusty at all as he showed some decent footwork with the ball at his feet. Made some decent interventions when needed.

LB – Julio Soler – 6/10

Full of energy on the left flank. Had some lovely ideas while going forward. But his impact quickly waned as soon as Manchester City took charge of the game.

DM – Ryan Christie – 6/10

Involved in a lot of ball-winning as he held his discipline against a determined City’s midfield as well. Was yellow-carded for a poor tackle in the second half.

DM – Tyler Adams – 4.5/10

Conceded a penalty with a poor handball in the box. He played Haaland in with another poor back pass just moments later. Did try to make up by going forward, but couldn’t get any return.

RW – David Brooks – 6/10

His teasing cross towards Kluivert led to the first goal. Was a constant outlet on that right-hand side.

CAM – Justin Kluivert – 7.5/10

Had a great chance with a free kick from an ideal range but skied it. Made up for it by keeping Brooks’ cross acrobatically and setting Evanilson with a tap-in.

LW – Antoine Semenyo – 7/10

He was bullish in his tackles as he won the ball with some aggressive pressing. But the end product in the final third was lacking. Was marking Marmoush for the second goal and went down to the ground unnecessarily as the Egyptian scored.

ST – Evanilson – 7/10

He pressed Ederson with intent from the off. Got his reward as he tapped Kluivert’s layoff from a yard out.

Sub – Dango Ouattara – 6/10

Sub – James Hill – 6/10

Sub – Adam Smith -6/10

Sub – Alex Scott – 6/10

Sub – Daniel Jebbison – 6/10

Manager – Andoni Iraola – 6/10

His side has made the most of their aggressive intent by mixing direct approach and aggressive pressing in equal proportions. An excellent performance in the first half saw his team in the driver’s seat. But the second half implosion mirrored their recent form and Iraola’s inability to solve these issues.

Also Read: Tottenham vs Bournemouth Player Ratings: A 2-2 Score Saw Both Teams Share The Spoils After Full Time

Manchester City Player Ratings

GK – Ederson – 6/10

Back from the injury layoff, he was rusty with his kicking, as he gave the ball away easily. Was slow to react for the first goal as well.

RB – Matheus Nunes – 6/10

Delivered a lovely cross for Haaland while going forward. Gave the ball away cheaply and couldn’t contain Kluivert for the first goal.

CB – Abdukodir Khusanov – 5.5/10

He was locked in a battle with Evanilson and couldn’t come out on top as the striker bundled the ball home from close range. Was hooked off at half-time.

CB – Ruben Dias – 6/10

A strange backpass put Ederson in a bit of trouble early on. He was nowhere to be seen in the box as City crumbled at the back.

LB – Josko Gvardiol – 6/10

Played a more conservative left-back role as he made defence his priority. Failed to put a tackle on Brooks as he crossed easily. Played as a centre-back in the second half to accommodate O’Reilly.

DM – Mateo Kovacic – 6.5/10

Way too feeble in possession as Bournemouth pressed him with ease and couldn’t cover ground while facing quick transitions. Put up a much-improved performance in the second half as they took the lead.

DM – Ilkay Gundogan – 6.5/10

Made a rash start to the game with a couple of dangerous fouls. Pushed forward as his side needed a goal and forced a save from Kepa. Was threatening in the second half going forward.

RW – Bernardo Silva – 6/10

Had his pocket picked easily while on the ball. Did won the penalty from an attempted cross, but apart from that, he hardly did anything of note.

CAM – Kevin De Bruyne – 6/10

Involved a lot in ball-winning rather than playmaking. When he had the chance to create, he couldn’t just find any openings. Had a shot that De Bruyne of the past could’ve found the top corner with.

LW – Phil Foden – 6/10

Picked the ball in pockets and drove at the defence. But lacked the incision needed to cut through the hosts’ defence. Took a fine shot in the second half.

ST – Erling Haaland – 6.5/10

Could’ve easily had a hat-trick in the opening 15 minutes. Missed a penalty, a clear header and a one-on-one. Finally scored one in the second half after O’Reilly set him up.

Sub – Nico O’Reilly- 8/10

Came on at half-time and made an immediate impact as he teed up Erling Haaland just minutes after coming on. Showed great intelligence to assist Marmoush again.

Sub – Omar Marmoush – 7.5/10

Replaced Haaland and had a huge responsibility to score a winner for them. Just took a couple of minutes to get on the score sheet.

Sub – Jack Grealish – 6/10

Sub – Nico Gonzalez -6/10

Sub – James McAtee -6/10

Manager – Pep Guardiola – 7/10

His decision to go with the old guard in the forward line did cost him, as they were flat going forward. Moreover, in defence, they were extremely vulnerable as the midfield didn’t offer enough protection. An inspired substitution at half time helped his cause, and the forced sub of Omar Marmoush won him the game.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match: Nico O’Reilly

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