Manchester City booked their place in a fourth consecutive FA Cup final after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Southampton at Wembley. Pep Guardiola's side will face either Chelsea or Leeds on 16 May, with the treble still within reach. However, the win came only after an almighty scare from the Championship side, who led until the final minutes.
Southampton took a shock lead through Finn Azaz, who spun and swept a beautiful shot into the top corner. The Saints' fans erupted, celebrating what seemed like a famous upset in the making, 50 years after the club's only major trophy, the 1976 FA Cup. But their euphoria was short-lived.
Jeremy Doku equalised three minutes later with a deflected shot, before Nico Gonzalez thundered in a long-range winner. City had dominated possession and chances, with Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden both going close. Goalkeeper Daniel Peretz made several crucial saves for Southampton, while captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis led a resolute defensive effort.
Guardiola had rotated his side, leaving out Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva initially, but was forced to introduce them as Southampton pushed City to the brink. The Saints, unbeaten in 20 games under manager Tonda Eckert, had knocked out Arsenal in the quarter-finals and came within minutes of another giant-killing.
Despite the defeat, Southampton can take pride in a performance that saw them soak up pressure and threaten on the counter. For City, the focus now shifts to completing a treble, with the FA Cup final the next step in their charge.
