Manchester City preserved their hopes of winning a trophy this term by coming back from behind at Bournemouth to arrange an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

Evanilson’s 21st-minute scrambled goal gave the Cherries the advantage at half-time and left City manager Pep Guardiola in the danger of losing a season without a trophy for the first time since 2016-17, his initial season at the club.

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Erling Haaland saw a first-half penalty saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga and squandered two other gilt-edged chances as City labored to find rhythm against Bournemouth’s pace.

Pep Guardiola’s Tactical Switch Turns the Game

But Pep Guardiola pulled his trickery in the break by bringing on Nico O’Reilly for Abdukodir Khusanov, and four minutes into the second half the 20-year-old, playing on the left side of defence, fashioned the equaliser with a flawless cross for Haaland to turn home at the far post.

The other modification, this one enforced, enabled City to continue after 63 minutes. O’Reilly set up Omar Marmoush, recently brought on as substitute for injured Haaland, and the Egypt forward’s shot inched under Kepa who ought to have done better.

Pride Over Disappointment for Bournemouth

Bournemouth’s dream of a Wembley visit was raised with them ahead of Manchester City at halftime – but ultimately they can hold no grudge as they were over-powered in the second period by the quality and strength of the visitors.

Pep Guardiola believes even an FA Cup victory could not save a season that has been average according to the form of a team that ran a record four consecutive Premier League crowns.

There was, nonetheless, no hiding the City manager’s fierce need to include an extra trophy in his collection and spare the unusual shame of concluding a campaign without silverware.

Pep Guardiola’s Tactical Genius on Display for Manchester City

He selected a powerful team and his gesticulating, frequently hysterical, body language from the opening whistle indicated how much he craved another journey to Wembley for the semi-final.

Pep Guardiola’s seasoned line-up was brimming with serial winners – and he took decisive action when they were trailing at half-time against this vibrant, talented Bournemouth team.

He replaced struggling Khusanov to introduce O’Reilly, playing him at left-back and replacing Josko Gvardiol in the centre.

Pep Guardiola’s switch gave City the cutting edge they had lacked as O’Reilly first set up Haaland with an inviting delivery then provided an assist for match-winner Marmoush as the visitors dominated the second half against the fading Cherries.

Injury Concern for Manchester City

The sole cloud on City’s day was the blow to Haaland that had him being forced off after an hour, the striker twisting his left ankle in a touchline bundle with Lewis Cook.

This was a performance that exposed City’s weaknesses and virtues, but winning trophies is one habit that will not die with Guardiola or his players.

Bournemouth’s Bright Start Fades

For 45 minutes, Bournemouth had played at City’s nervy heels – particularly at the back, where their high-pressure play made Matheus Nunes and Khusanov’s life a misery.

They harried Nunes’ wits to such an extent that he was twice implicated in Bournemouth’s goal, initially inexplicably surrendering possession to Cook then not anticipating Justin Kluivert’s movement as he played Evanilson’s finish on the goalline through.

Bournemouth were riding high but Guardiola’s half-time changes turned the game on its head and Andoni Iraola’s team were unable to react.

The Cherries lacked the presence of two of their most important players this term in suspended Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen.

Hungary international Kerkez provides Bournemouth with an added dimension in defence and attack, and Huijsen’s qualities at the back could have just put more shackles on City.

Ultimately, this will prove to be a sour disappointment for Iraola and his group, who have given so much this season and will have had the FA Cup in their sights, but the class of Manchester City shone when the pressure mounted.