Pep Guardiola felt his “legendary” Manchester City players rediscovered their “heart” after they came from behind to sink Bournemouth 2-1 and reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
Second-half goals from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush kept City in with a chance of salvaging a trophy from this season after they trailed to Evanilson’s tap-in at the break.
The midfield of Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic may be past their prime, but Guardiola leant on their experience to extend their record of consecutive semi-final appearances to seven.
“We talked a lot and we saw a lot of images that were not in our standard, nowhere near where we had been to have won six Premier Leagues in seven years and seven FA Cup semi-finals in a row,” the City boss said.
“And we just focused. It doesn’t matter if we play without wingers today or sometimes we play with wingers, there are minimum requirements that we have to show; respect for your mate, you have to make the effort. And today we did it.
“I spoke with the team at half-time so we are good. We are in your hands. We conceded just one shot on target.
“That means how Bernardo, Kova, the senior players, the legendary players that give the most incredible things in the club, they make a step up again and made an excellent performance.
“I’m really pleased to be back at Wembley for a seventh time in a row. An incredible achievement.”
Asked why the heart had been missing from his side this season, Guardiola added: “It was many things, many things. I will write it in my memoirs. A lot. Not just one.
“And put Pep first on the list. I should have taken decisions I didn’t take in the right moment. In my memoirs, If it was just one reason it would be easy.”
Haaland was guilty of an extraordinary six-minute hat-trick of misses; a close-range header, a penalty and a one-on-one, before Evanilson poked Bournemouth in front from Justin Kluivert’s pull-back.
Half-time substitute Nico O’Reilly helped turn the game with assists for both Haaland and Marmoush, with Guardiola joking the 20-year-old is definitely going to play at Wembley.
“Against Plymouth scored two goals, today two assists, so in the semi-finals he is going to play,” he said.
Guardiola was unable to give an update on Haaland, who limped off after colliding with Lewis Cook and an advertising hoarding.
Bournemouth looked spent, a long season of punching above their weight perhaps finally catching up with them.
That their last shot on target came in the 38th minute told its own story.
“I think we played the game we wanted to play in the first half but we couldn’t maintain the intensity in the second half,” Cherries boss Andoni Iraola said.
“We were not as aggressive as in the first half and if we don’t press we don’t win those duels. Very happy with the first half but we didn’t win so it is not enough.”
Man City ready to do Ten Hag a favour at Bayer LeverkusenManchester City are ready to do a favour for former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.Now Bayer Leverkusen coach, Ten Hag has been pushing his new club to find him a new attacking midfielder.And Bayer have struck an agreement with City for a reinforcement, reports transfer journalist Matteo Moretto.City are ready to send Claudio Echever...
IN DETAIL: Juventus agree terms with PSG and Kolo MuaniJuventus are wrapping up the signing of PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani.The France international is now joining Juve in a permanent transfer after a successful loan over the second-half of last season and also the Club World Cup.TMW says Juve have struck an agreement with PSG over a fee of €57m for Kolo Muani.The centre-forward has also se...
Arsenal defender has played his last game for the club as he prepares to leave this summerArsenal defender Jakub Kiwior is a target for AC Milan and Porto this summer as the club prepare to let him leave.The Poland international was left out of the Gunners squad that narrowly beat Manchester United 1-0 thanks to a Riccardo Calafiori set piece finish at Old Trafford on Sunday. Kiwior is nearing the...
Real Madrid keen for Alaba to find new clubReal Madrid are keen to find a new club for David Alaba.The 33 year-old is fully fit and available to coach Xabi Alonso.However, Xabi sees the veteran as only cover for his first-choice players and Alaba has been told playing chances will be limited this season.Indeed, given Alaba is among the club's highest paid players, management would be happier to se...
Chelsea's Xavi Simons Solution? RB Leipzig Step Up Talks For Christopher NkunkuRB Leipzig have reportedly intensified talks with Chelsea over Christopher Nkunku, a move that could unlock the Blues’ pursuit of Xavi Simons.Chelsea and RB Leipzig have been in talks over a move for Xavi Simons for several weeks, with the 22-year-old already agreeing personal terms.It’s understood the Premi...
Man United Make Goalkeeper Decision Amid Onana and Bayindir UncertaintyMan United are reportedly not expected to sign a new goalkeeper this summer despite ongoing issues with duo Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.Ruben Amorim was adamant that he didn’t ‘drop’ Onana, 29, for their 1-0 Premier League defeat to Arsenal on Sunday (Augst 17)."No, I didn’t drop Onana from the squad,...
Tottenham Agree 360m Deal for Eberechi Eze as Crystal Palace Line Up Maddison ReplacementTottenham have reportedly reached a 360 million agreement with Crystal Palace to sign Eberechi Eze. The move comes as Thomas Frank prepares to bring in cover for the injured James Maddison.The 27-year-old starred for Crystal Palace in their 0-0 Premier League draw with Chelsea, having a freekick controversiall...
Mohamed Salah Makes History! Liverpool Star PFA Players' Player of the Year for Record Third TimeLiverpool star Mohamed Salah has secured a historic third PFA Players' Player of the Year award after leading his side to last season's Premier League title.The 33-year-old was Liverpool’s undisputed star player throughout their 2024-25 campaign, scoring an impressive 29 goals and providing 18 as...
Sevilla Set Price for Man United Target as Club Seek Baleba AlternativesSevilla have reportedly set their price tag for Man United target Lucien Agoume as the Premier League club seek alternatives to Brighton star Carlos Baleba.Ruben Amorim’s side were in talks with Brighton over a potential move for the 21-year-old but ultimately pulled out due to the high asking price.It’s understood...
Man United Outcast Garnacho Turns Down European Giants in Push to Make Chelsea Move HappenMan United winger Alejandro Garnacho has reportedly rejected interest from Bayern Munich as he continues to push for a move to Chelsea.The 21-year-old is a member of Man United infamous ‘bomb squad’ following a high profile falling out with manager Ruben Amorim.United are still in negotiations wit...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 3 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 4 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 5 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 6 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 7 BVB, Monaco and Ajax go for unwanted West Ham midfielder Alvarez
- 8 TIPS - Gwangju FC VS Daejeon Hana Citizen
- 9 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 10 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer