Jack Grealish and John Stones react to Nico O'Reilly's message after Man City shock

03/31/2025 11:55 AM

Nico O’Reilly’s surprise man-of-the-match performance for Manchester City against Bournemouth resulted in blazing responses from his team-mates.

City squeezed into the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, recovering a 1-0 half-time deficit through goals early in the second period from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush.

However, Marmoush’s fellow substitute O’Reilly – introduced at half-time for Abdukodir Khusanov – was the real difference-maker for Pep Guardiola, setting up both Haaland’s equaliser and Marmoush’ winner.

O’Reilly completely overshadowed fellow City academy product Phil Foden to take the game by the scruff of the neck and turn Bournemouth’s 1-0 lead on its head – despite coming on to play left-back.

Rightfully awarded as man of the match at full-time, O’Reilly staked his claim to start as City prepare for a seventh successive semi-final; the FA Cup being Guardiola’s last chance to salvage his side’s season.

Nico O’Reilly display sparks admiration from Man City stars

With Marmoush, Jack Grealish, James McAtee and Nico Gonzalez also coming off the bench, and Jeremy Doku staying on it – few would have expected O’Reilly to make the biggest impact for City.

The 20-year-old did just that though, and after squeezing a pass through for Marmoush to win the game for City on 63 minutes, O’Reilly took to Instagram (30 March), saying: “Onto the semis – thank you to all the travelling fans.”

O’Reilly’s post was met with responses from his City team-mates, with John Stones stating: “Love it!!!”

Grealish also added a comment, posting: “Naaaaaa what a tender”, alongside a Broccoli emoji.

O’Reilly to be at centre of Man City rebuild

The full-backs have been problem positions for City throughout what’s largely been a season to forget, with Josko Gvardiol shunted wide from left centre-back and Matheus Nunes deputising on the right.

O’Reilly, however, could soon be a starter in central midfield, with Football Insider revealing on 30 March that City plan on letting veterans Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic go this summer.

Those exits may well facilitate arrivals such as AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, but with Guardiola set to lead an overhaul of City’s entire squad, O’Reilly could be one of the beneficiaries at the start of next season.

Left-back could soon be on lockdown for O’Reilly if his form continues, but given the level of influence he exerted at the Vitality Stadium, the 20-year-old will have his eyes on his natural position going forward.

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