The Albany Gazette - Guardiola seeks FA Cup revenge over Bournemouth after league loss sparked slump

Victory over the Cherries would mean City had reached the semi-finals of the knockout competition for a record-extending seventh consecutive season.

But their last visit to the south coast club saw City, fresh from a record run of four successive English top-flight titles, suffer their first Premier League defeat of the season when they lost 2-1 in November.

It was the start of a dramatic slump that saw City lose seven and win just one of their next 11 games, with Guardiola in no doubt about the impact of the defeat by Bournemouth.

"That was the first game where we were a little bit away from the standards required to be competitive," he said. "I couldn't turn around the symptoms that that game started, in terms of pressing and being aggressive and duels and these aspects.

"We have been magnificent in these terms but then it was a minimum we didn't have. I've been trying for many months (since). We have the technology but sometimes it takes time."

City are currently fifth in the Premier League table but a huge 22 points behind leaders Liverpool, while they were knocked out of this season's Champions League by Real Madrid.

The FA Cup now represents their last chance of silverware this term, with City manager Guardiola having lifted the trophy twice during his time at the Etihad.

"We achieved the record last season -- six times in a row in the semi-finals, and most of the time we were playing in bad condition after Champions League (games)," said Guardiola.

"It was difficult to deal with that, so arriving there shows how important this competition is."

The Spaniard added: "With the season we have had, to come back to Wembley to play the semi-final and reach the final would be nice."

City goalkeeper Ederson is back in contention after missing their last game against Brighton with an abdominal problem.

(A.Johnson--TAG)