Pep Guardiola praised Manchester City’s “extraordinary” achievement after his side became the first team to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals.
City were forced to fight for it at Wembley. Southampton looked close to a major shock after Finn Azaz put the Championship side ahead late in the second half. But City responded quickly through Jeremy Doku before Nico Gonzalez struck the winner to seal a 2-1 semi-final victory.
City Survive Southampton Scare
Southampton came into the tie as underdogs, but they pushed City into a difficult contest.
Azaz’s goal gave the Saints hope of reaching their first FA Cup final since 2003. For a brief spell, Wembley felt ready for an upset.
But City’s bench changed the rhythm. Doku brought pace and direct running, while the late City pressure eventually broke Southampton.
Gonzalez’s winner completed the comeback and kept City’s domestic treble hopes alive.
Guardiola Points To Historic Standard
Guardiola said the achievement showed the standard City have built under pressure.
“No team has made four finals in a row,” Guardiola said after the match. He described the run as “extraordinary” and said City now need to arrive at the final with strong momentum.
That record matters because FA Cup consistency is difficult. Rotation, fixture pressure and knockout tension can quickly break a team’s rhythm.
City have now turned Wembley into a regular part of their season.
Doku Changes The Game
City did not dominate the full match in the way Guardiola would have wanted.
The first half was uncomfortable, and Southampton’s discipline gave them a real chance. But the second half shifted after City introduced more attacking speed.
Doku became the main outlet. His directness stretched Southampton and forced them deeper. His equaliser changed the mood before Gonzalez delivered the final blow.
FotMob reported that Doku created five chances, completed 11 of 14 dribbles, and added a goal and assist in the win.
Final Against Chelsea Awaits
City will now face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 16 after Chelsea beat Leeds 1-0 in the other semi-final. Enzo Fernandez scored the winner for Chelsea, setting up the Wembley meeting with City.
City are chasing another trophy in a season where they are also in the Premier League title race. Chelsea, meanwhile, will see the final as a chance to rescue meaning from a troubled campaign.
Why This Matters
City showed why they remain dangerous even when a match turns against them. Southampton had the upset in sight, but Guardiola’s side found another gear late.
The record also strengthens City’s status as English football’s most reliable cup machine under Guardiola. Four FA Cup finals in a row is not luck. It is depth, control and a habit of surviving pressure. Southampton came close to changing the story. City changed it back.
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