City Watch: Marmoush sends City to Wembley

After my week on holiday last week, I’m back writing the City Watch column, and what a week it is to return. 

Following the conclusion of the international break, Manchester City had a trip down to the south coast to play Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter final, knowing that a win would secure yet another semi-final in the competition.

I’m not even going to try and write this with suspense and summarise the game first, because even as I type this up, my excitement is getting the better of me… we’re the famous Man City and we’re going to Wembley! 

The game didn’t come without its frustrations though, and it definitely wasn’t straight forward.

Firstly, Bournemouth have been on incredibly consistent form this season, including a win against us earlier in the season at the Vitality, with the game ending 2-1. 

Iraola’s team are pushing for a European spot come the end of the year, and you have to say, they would deserve it.

Our nerves were quickly increased when City controversially won a penalty early in the first half, one of those ‘unnatural position’ handballs, which I’ll be honest, I hate to see given. 

Justice may have been served though, as Erling Haaland missed the spot kick, and the Cherries capitalised just five minutes later, taking the lead through a counter attack against the run of play through Evanilson.

Going into half time at 1-0 down made me think, here we go again, just the story of our season isn’t it. 

It really would’ve summed up our year to fold to Bournemouth, and lose the only chance at silverware we have. 

However, an incredible second half comeback saw the Blues win 2-1, with substitute Nico O’Reilly proving to be the difference maker. 

The youngster came off the bench at half time to provide two assists, for Erling Haaland and later sub Omar Marmoush.

The only negative I can point to from the sunny afternoon on the south coast was that Haaland came off with a potential ankle injury, and left the stadium with a protective boot on. 

We now know that Erling will miss up to seven weeks, essentially the rest of the season before the Club World Cup. 

Marmoush will have some big boots to fill in that time, quite literally.

City were drawn against Nottingham Forest for the semi-final in just over three weeks’ time. 

Before that though, the Blues face Leicester which by the time this column is released, will have already been played, before the Manchester derby on Sunday, nervous, Blues?

Anyway, for me, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Wembley, que sera, sera!