Manchester City fightback sees off Southampton to reach FA Cup final

Semi-final

Manchester City 2-1 Southampton

Manchester City survived a shock by coming from behind to edge past Southampton and reach a record fourth consecutive FA Cup final to keep alive their hopes of claiming a domestic treble.

Pep Guardiola’s side have already lifted the Carabao Cup this season and will return to the capital on Saturday, 16 May when they will be heavy favourites against either Chelsea or Leeds United.

The Spaniard made eight changes to the side that edged past Burnley in midweek and City’s second string were unable to find any rhythm or create clear-cut chances in a scrappy opening period.

Omar Marmoush’s shot at the near post was kept out by the feet of Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, while Saints celebrations were cut short when Leo Scienza’s cool finish was disallowed for offside.

Southampton managed their first shot on target on 55 minutes but Ross Stewart’s effort was straight into the grasp of James Trafford, while at the other end, substitute Savinho’s bending strike was pushed away by Peretz.

The semi-final came alive 11 minutes from time when Finn Azaz curled home an unstoppable strike into the top corner from 20 yards out to spark joyous scenes in the Saints end, but they were silenced just two minutes later when Jeremy Doku’s deflected shot crept into the far corner.

And with extra-time looming, Nico Gonzalez stepped up to power home a thumping strike past the reach of Peretz to turn the game around for City in their search for a third FA Cup triumph under Guardiola.

City had to dig deep and progress the hard way but, as Guardiola said in the lead-up to the game, this part of the season is about winning games no matter how that is achieved.

Guardiola’s record in this competition is unmatched – his side go through from an eighth straight semi-final and he looks to add to his tally of lifting the trophy in 2019 and 2023.

They had 70% possession and a total of 26 shots but only scored in the final nine minutes after falling behind – Doku and Gonzalez both scoring in front of the City supporters at Wembley to avoid an embarrassing defeat.

But victory means City have now won their past 22 games in the competition against teams from outside Premier League, having also come through against Exeter and Salford in previous rounds.

Star man Erling Haaland came on in the second half but the striker has now gone 15 matches in semi-finals or finals for City without contributing a goal or assist.

It looked like they were going to be left frustrated when Tijjani Reijnders curled wide and Marmoush poked over from 10 yards out in the second half, but another return to Wembley awaits next month after a late rescue job.

Championship side Southampton won the FA Cup for the only time 50 years ago with a shock victory over Manchester United and they threatened to take City’s scalp too.

Tonda Eckert’s side came into the game on the back of a 20-game unbeaten run in all competitions dating back to January but after taking the lead, the second-tier side they were unable to see out the job.

Azaz’s delightful strike sparked scenes of jubilation from supporters but they were left to rue conceding a deflected strike shortly after and Gonzalez’s thunderous winner left them heartbroken.

Saints could have won it before then but substitute Kuryu Matsuki’s rising drive was tipped over by James Trafford and they failed to find the equaliser to take the match into extra-time.

Southampton are fifth in the Championship and are assured at least a place in the play-offs and so could return to Wembley in their aim of sealing an immediate return to the Premier League.