I was buzzing – Nico O’Reilly excited for semi-finals after Man City comeback

Nico O’Reilly was “buzzing” after his latest FA Cup rescue act booked Manchester City’s place in the semi-finals.

The 20-year-old came on as a half-time substitute at Bournemouth and promptly set up goals for Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush as City came from behind to win 2-1.

O’Reilly had started City’s previous three matches in the competition, scoring once in the 8-0 drubbing of Salford and twice as they came from a goal down to see off former giantkillers Plymouth 3-1.

And such was his impact off the bench at the Vitality Stadium that boss Pep Guardiola joked the homegrown youngster had booked his place in the starting line-up against Nottingham Forest at Wembley in four weeks’ time.

“He was telling me to try and get involved as much as I can attacking but also be strong defensively. So that’s what I tried to do and it paid off,” O’Reilly told City’s website.

“An amazing result, it’s a tough place to come, and we’re just looking forward to the semi-final.

“We had chances in the first half but came out in the second half and looked strong.

“They were the toughest opposition we’ve come across in this competition so far, so I was just buzzing. We know how good Bournemouth have been this season so we’ll take loads of confidence from this and just keep going.

“It’s a special competition and we’re a special club so I’m just glad we can do it again.”

Forest beat City 1-0 in the Premier League three weeks ago, but O’Reilly believes his side will be a different proposition at Wembley.

“It will be a very good game,” he added. “We faced them recently but we will be ready for it, and hopefully we can take it to the next step.”

City are sweating on the fitness of Haaland, who missed a first-half penalty, scored the equaliser and then went off injured after a challenge by Lewis Cook.

Bournemouth led at half-time through Evanilson’s poacher’s goal, but they ran out of steam in the second half and barely created a chance after Marmoush put the visitors ahead.

“I think we made the game very uncomfortable in the first half because we were not giving them the space and we were playing a lot in their half,” said Cherries boss Andoni Iraola.

“But you have to pay a price, also, because you have to give a lot of energy in return.”