Udaipur, March 31, 2025: Manchester City took to the field yesterday, wishing Eid Mubarak on social media. Pep Guardiola's team fell behind in the 21st minute at home against Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Did Manchester City fans think that this might be the first time since the 2016-17 season that they would end the season empty-handed?

If there was any such fear in their minds, it was gone after the break. City won 2-1 with goals from Erling Haaland in the 49th minute and Omar Marmoush in the 63rd minute. City's opponent in the semi-finals will be Nottingham Forest at Wembley on April 26. City became the first team in FA Cup history to reach the semi-finals for seven consecutive times.

In the other quarter-final match, Aston Villa defeated Preston North End, a second-tier team in English football, 3-0. Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made his 200th appearance for Villa, keeping his 10th clean sheet of the season. Villa will face Crystal Palace in the semi-finals on April 26.

Bad News for City Despite the Victory

Manchester City received bad news in this comfortable win. Erling Haaland left the field in the 60th minute with a left ankle injury. Eight minutes earlier, Bournemouth right-back Lewis Cook had stepped on him. Haaland returned to the field after receiving first aid but soon fell to the ground in pain. City coach Pep Guardiola was forced to substitute him when the match was still tied at 1-1.

Guardiola could not confirm how serious Haaland's injury was. Earlier, Haaland had missed a penalty in the first half and wasted two clear chances to score. Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush, who came on as a substitute, scored just three minutes after entering the game.

Young Midfielder Stole the Show

Guardiola brought in 20-year-old Nico O’Reilly in the second half when City were trailing 1-0. O’Reilly has rarely played in City's main team, but he surprised everyone last night. The young midfielder, who grew up in City's academy, turned the match around by scoring both goals.

Surprisingly, even though he is a midfielder, he played as a left-back. Guardiola moved Josko Gvardiol to the center. After the match, Guardiola praised O’Reilly, saying, "Two goals, two assists—that's why he will play in the semi-final against Nottingham."

City's Only Hope for a Trophy

The FA Cup is now City's only chance to win a trophy this season. City have already been eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid. In the Premier League, they are in fifth place, 22 points behind leaders Liverpool, with just nine matches left.

Since joining City in 2016, Guardiola has failed to win a trophy only in his debut season (2016–17). Now, winning the FA Cup is crucial to avoid another trophyless season.