Monday’s briefing: Manchester City and Aston Villa book FA Cup semi spots
Aston Villa also made it to the last four.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola saluted his senior players after seeing them drag the club to a seventh FA Cup semi-final on the trot.
There was cup joy too for Marcus Rashford as his first goals for Aston Villa helped to book a place in the last four at the expense of Sky Bet Championship Preston.
Elsewhere, it proved a more difficult day for Chelsea Women’s skipper Millie Bright and AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek for very different reasons.
Pep talk
Pep Guardiola felt his “legendary” Manchester City players rediscovered their “heart” after they came from behind to sink Bournemouth 2-1 and reach a seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final.
Second-half goals from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush booked City a last-four clash with Nottingham Forest after they trailed to Evanilson’s tap-in at the break with senior stars Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic playing key roles.
Guardiola said: “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.”
