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25 yards to settle the tie as Enzo Maresca since they lifted the trophy in 2021

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OFFICIAL: Abdul Fatawu joins Leicester on loan

Abdul Fatawu hit a superb extra-time strike to stun Bournemouth and send Leicester City through to the FA Cup quarter-finals.

The Ghanaian brilliantly curled in from 25 yards to settle the tie as Enzo Maresca’s much-changed City got the better of Premier League opposition. After a goalless 90 minutes in which City had more than held their own, Fatawu bent in the winner, putting the club in the last eight for the first time since they lifted the trophy in 2021.

After back-to-back defeats in the Championship, an FA Cup tie looked like a distraction for City. But they power on and are now one game away from a Wembley semi-final

Maresca did as he had promised and heavily rotated his 11. Nine changes were made with Arjan Raikhy the standout fresh face, the 21-year-old midfielder trusted with the Harry Winks role on his first start for the club.

And the much-changed side started positively against their Premier League opponents, fashioning a few half-chances against a back four that all started against Manchester City a few days previously. But Bournemouth grew into the game and their man-to-man pressure made City look a little uncomfortable.

Jakub Stolarczyk was playing to the Maresca blueprint but that was putting team-mates in trouble and the Cherries were capitalising, going close as Enes Unal had a shot blocked near the line by Hamza Choudhury before Alex Scott turned over from close range. Unal then nearly flicked in after pinball in the City box.

However, it was City who came closest to scoring. Bournemouth gave the ball away under pressure from Dennis Praet and Marc Albrighton ran at goal, striking a low shot against the base of the post. On the rebound, Wanya Marcal’s stinging drive drew a fine save from Mark Travers high to his right.

Bournemouth started the second period on top, but a resolute defensive showing from City restricted their chances. In fact, they only came close when a Marcos Senesi cross bounced all the way through and onto the post.

But as the half went on, and the likes of Fatawu and Kelechi Iheanacho were introduced, City grew stronger. And they had the best two chances to win it inside 90 minutes.

The first was the golden opportunity, Choudhury slipped through a delightful ball to Yunus, but all on his own in the box, he struck over the bar with his weaker right foot. Then Iheanacho’s cute lay-off sent Ricardo Pereira running through, but he toe-poked wide.

Ninety minutes couldn’t separate the sides and so something magical was needed in the extra half-hour. Fatawu delivered. Iheanacho laid the ball back to the Ghanaian and from 25 yards, he curled a brilliant shot to the top corner, Travers unable to keep it out.

City go into the draw for the last eight on Wednesday night, where they could be paired against local rivals Coventry for a fight to reach the semi-finals. Here’s how we scored the players.

Jakub Stolarczyk: There were so many times where his short passes to team-mates under pressure put City in trouble and led to Bournemouth chances. Somehow none were costly. But his shot-stopping is excellent, the Pole producing a great reaction save to keep out Sinisterra’s header. He punched corners away well too. 6

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