Man City fight back to beat Southampton 2-1 at Wembley, reaching a fourth straight FA Cup final after late goals from Doku and Gonzalez.
Manchester City booked their place in a fourth consecutive FA Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 win over Southampton. Pep Guardiola’s side came from behind late on to avoid a major upset at Wembley. The result keeps their domestic treble hopes firmly alive.
City made several changes to their starting lineup, and it showed early on. They dominated possession but struggled to create clear openings against a compact Southampton side. Omar Marmoush came closest before the break, but his effort was denied by Daniel Peretz. Southampton also had a goal ruled out for offside, briefly raising hopes of an early shock.
The tempo remained slow for much of the first half, with both sides cautious in possession. City controlled around 65 percent of the ball but lacked sharpness in the final third. Southampton stayed disciplined defensively and limited space between the lines. It was a half short on quality chances and attacking fluency.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with City increasing pressure but still lacking a cutting edge. Substitute Savinho tested Peretz, while Tijjani Reijnders curled narrowly wide. Marmoush also missed a clear opportunity from close range as frustration grew among City supporters.
Against the run of play, Southampton took a surprise lead in the 79th minute. Finn Azaz received the ball outside the box and curled a superb effort into the top corner. James Trafford had no chance as the ball flew beyond his reach. The goal sparked wild celebrations and put Southampton within touching distance of a famous win.
City responded almost instantly to the setback, showing their resilience. Just three minutes later, Jeremy Doku cut inside and fired a low shot that deflected past Peretz. The equaliser shifted momentum sharply and lifted the energy inside Wembley. Southampton, who had defended well all game, suddenly looked vulnerable.
Guardiola’s substitutions proved decisive as City pushed forward with greater urgency. Doku’s direct running caused problems, while Erling Haaland’s presence stretched the defence. The pressure mounted as Southampton struggled to regain composure. Extra time loomed, but City had other ideas.
The winner arrived in the 87th minute through a moment of brilliance. Nico Gonzalez unleashed a powerful strike from over 30 yards that flew into the top corner. It was the longest-range goal scored by a City player this season and could not have come at a better time. Southampton were left stunned as their resistance was finally broken.
City nearly added a third late on, but Savinho saw his effort cleared off the line. Despite a late push, Southampton could not force an equaliser. Their 20-match unbeaten run came to an end in heartbreaking fashion. City, meanwhile, held on to secure another final appearance.
Doku was a game-changer after coming off the bench, scoring and assisting in quick succession. Gonzalez produced the defining moment with his stunning winner from distance. Laimer and Reijnders helped control midfield as City increased their intensity late on. Southampton impressed for long spells but could not hold their lead under pressure.
City finished with 26 shots and an expected goals value of 2.27, compared to Southampton’s 0.30 from four attempts. Guardiola’s also recorded six shots on target and dominated possession throughout. The late surge ultimately reflected their attacking depth and quality.
Manchester City will face either Chelsea or Leeds United in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 16. They now turn attention back to the Premier League title race where they travel to Everton next weekend before hosting Brentford a week later. Southampton return to Championship action as they push for promotion through the play-offs.
