Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola was delighted with how his team “competed” in the FA Cup win over Bournemouth.
The Premier League champions booked their place in the competition’s semi-finals for the seventh season in a row, mounting a comeback on the South Coast to do so.
After Erling Haaland’s penalty was saved 12 minutes in, City had to fight from a goal down to get over the line, with Haaland redeeming himself before Omar Marmoush netted the winner.
And Guardiola believes his team’s performance was night and day from the one he saw at the Vitality Stadium earlier in the domestic campaign.
Speaking after the game, he said: “We did it.
“Seven times in a row reaching semi-finals in the FA Cup.
“I am sorry to tell you, but this is outstanding. This generation of players, they have done this. To come here one of the toughest away places to come.
🗣️ "I'm sorry to tell you, but this is outstanding."
SEVEN FA Cup semifinals in a row for Manchester City! 👏#ITVFootball | #FACup | @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/ncJq3HkiuN
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 30, 2025
“After the impact from Nico [O’Reilly] was really good, but not just him – really pleased that we reach the semi-final, again.
“Comparing the game we played in November – we came here with flipflops, we came here for the holiday against a team that competes.
“Today, we were a team and we challenged. In football you have to run. We love the FA Cup. Hopefully, we can reach the final.”
City face a tough test in the semi-finals against Nottingham Forest, who knocked out Brighton on penalties during Saturday’s fixtures.
And with a potential final with Aston Villa or Crystal Palace on the horizon, Guardiola will be hoping to see his side salvage a poor season with some much-needed silverware in May.
