Citizens take bite out of Cherries

MANCHESTER City came from behind to reach the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday, but victory came at a cost as Erling Haaland hobbled off injured.

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Haaland had seen a first half penalty saved before Evanilson put the Cherries in front. The Norwegian made amends by equalising four minutes into the second period before being forced off with an ankle injury.

His replacement, Omar Marmoush, took just two minutes to score the winner from a second assist by the impressive Nico O’Reilly. City will face Nottingham Forest in the last four after reaching the semi-finals for a record seventh consecutive season.

Pep Guardiola said even FA Cup glory would not save a miserable season for the English champions with this competition their final shot at winning a trophy. City’s collapse in the Premier League began at Bournemouth back in November with a 2-1 defeat that kicked off a run of six defeats in eight games.

Bournemouth were without two of their stars of a fine season as defenders Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez were suspended. And Haaland should have punished a makeshift Cherries backline with a hat-trick before half time.

He headed wide his first chance from Mathes Nunes’ driven cross.