Manchester Metropolis might nonetheless finish its disappointing season with a trophy after rallying to beat Bournemouth 2-1 within the FA Cup quarterfinals on Sunday, with Erling Haaland inspiring the comeback earlier than being compelled off injured.
Haaland, who had a penalty saved within the first half, equalized within the forty ninth however hobbled off 12 minutes later with a left ankle harm, having briefly tried to play on.
Omar Marmoush got here on as Haaland’s alternative and, inside two minutes, scored the clinching objective to make sure Metropolis gained within the quarterfinals for a record-extending seventh straight season.
Already out of the Champions League and down in fifth place — 22 factors behind chief Liverpool — in an improbably poor Premier League title protection, Metropolis can partly rescue its season by profitable the FA Cup for an eighth time, and a 3rd time in Pep Guardiola’s tenure.
Metropolis will face Nottingham Forest within the semifinals being performed at Wembley Stadium subsequent month. On the identical weekend there, Aston Villa, which beat second-tier Preston 3-0 on Sunday, will meet Crystal Palace.
Of the 4 semifinalists, solely Metropolis has gained a trophy this century.
Rashford igniting profession at Villa
Marcus Rashford scored his first targets for Villa to assist his new crew attain the FA Cup semis for the primary time since 2015.
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Rashford has reignited his profession at Villa since becoming a member of on mortgage from Manchester United on Feb. 2 and has simply bought again within the England squad, beginning the current World Cup qualifiers towards Albania and Latvia.
The striker tapped dwelling Lucas Digne’s cross for the opener at Deepdale within the 58th minute after which transformed a penalty within the 63rd after Morgan Rogers was fouled. Jacob Ramsey wrapped up a cushty victory for Villa within the 71st.
“It’s an ideal feeling,” Rashford stated. “I really feel like I’ve been getting fitter and taking part in higher soccer since I’ve been right here.
“I missed numerous soccer earlier than becoming a member of up with (Villa). My physique feels good and I’m having fun with my soccer for now.”
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Villa — with out a trophy since capturing the English League Cup in 1996 — has gained the FA Cup seven occasions however not since 1957. Within the 2015 closing, Villa misplaced 4-0 to Arsenal.
Preston, the one non-Premier League crew within the final eight, was taking part in its first FA Cup quarterfinal match because the 1965-66 season.