After going behind to a Finn Azaz opener for the Saints late on, goals from Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez at the death meant it was City who progressed to the showpiece next month and a second final appearance this season after beating Arsenal to lift the Carabao Cup.
City will face either Chelsea or Leeds on Saturday 16 May, the Whites and the Blues meeting on Sunday for the chance to face Pep Guardiolaâs men.
THE GAME IN 250 WORDS
It was the most glorious evening for football as City and Southampton took to the pitch at Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final.
Pep Guardiolaâs Blues were looking to reach a fourth successful final as we also hunted down our second piece of silverware this season after Marchâs Carabao Cup triumph.
Tonda Eckertâs Saints, meanwhile, were hoping to add the scalp of City to those of Fulham and Arsenal as the Championship outfit went into this one on the back of 20 games unbeaten in all competitions.
City fans unveiled an Oasis-inspired tifo just before kick-off, Liam and Noel Gallagher featuring in all their glory alongside the wording âCity are Back. City are Back. Hello. Helloâ. By the end of the game, the Blues were guaranteeing yet another trip to Wembley â Guardiolaâs 24th in 10 years â with Chelsea or Leeds lying in wait next month.
When the game kicked off, Cityâs first half was one of effort and endeavour but Guardiolaâs men couldnât find the end product.
Tijjani Reijnders had a shot forced against the post by keeper Daniel Peretz in the opening exchanges after a pinpoint cut back from Omar Marmoush while the Egyptian then had his effort blocked by Nathan Wood â both promising moves eventually seeing an assistant referee flag go up for offside.
Then Southampton thought theyâd opened the scoring when Leo Scienza calmy slotted past James Trafford. Saints fans celebrated wildly but realisation slowly dawned that the goal had been chalked off after another offside.
Despite that scare, City were still the team in the ascendancy with midfielder Mateo Kovacic, making his first start of the season, showing pace and grace to evade a number of Saints players on his march into the box before eventually firing wide of the mark from an acute angle.
Marmoush â in the thick of the action - then forced Peretz into a point-blank save after being played in by a clever Reijnders pass in the left channel.
In the second half, the Blues were again bossing the contest and looking far more likely to make the breakthrough. Lots of huffing and puffing as they looked to blow down the Saints door.
Phil Fodenâs shot was too high to trouble Peretz while Reijnders had an effort blocked as he broke clear into the box and saw another just fly past the Saints No.41âs left-hand post.
Sub Jeremy Doku was immediately involved after coming on just shy of the hour mark, playing in Rayan Ait-Nouri who cut back for Marmoush but the Blues No.7 couldnât keep his effort down.
Fellow sub Savinho then forced a smart save from the busy Peretz with Guardiola rallying his players from the sidelines.
Nico, Rayan Cherki and Reijnders were then all out of luck in front of goal as a trio of chances in quick succession went begging.
Amazingly, Southampton opened the scoring with a Finn Azaz strike from distance flying past Trafford and giving the Saints an unlikely lead.
But the Blues hit back with a Doku drive that flew in after a deflection via right-back James Bree.
And then Nico won it for City with a brilliant blast from distance with minutes remaining on the clock.
TEAMS
CITY XI: Trafford, Nunes, Stones (C), Ake, Ait-Nouri (OâReilly 71â), Nico, Kovacic (Doku 58â), Reijnders (Silva 85â), Cherki, Foden (Savinho 58â), Marmoush (Haaland 71â)
Subs: Donnarumma, Guéhi, Khusanov, Lewis
SOUTHAMPTON XI: Peretz, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Welington (Matsuki 76â), Jander, Bragg (Charles 61â), Fellows, Azaz, Scienza, Stewart
Subs: Long, Quarshie, Jelert, Robinson, Edozie, Archer, Larin
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: NICO GONZALEZ
You always know what youâre getting with Nico Gonzalez â or so we thought!
Our central midfielder is renowned for his industry and tenacity in screening the back four and being a vital cog in the central ground.
What we didnât know about him was his ability to score screamers, his last-gasp stunner helping see off stubborn Southampton and send us triumphantly into a record fourth successive FA Cup final.
It was quite some moment and his goal was worthy of winning any game of football.
PEPâS WEMBLEY WONDERS
Pep Guardiola broke yet more FA Cup records tonight after the dramatic 2-1 triumph over Southampton.
The clash with the Saints represented Guardiolaâs eighth consecutive FA Cup semi-final with City - a run stretching back to 2018/19 â and a record in the competition!
Victory over Tonda Eckertâs men ensured the Blues reached a fourth successive FA Cup final â another record with no team managing this feat in the competition.
The game also represented Guardiolaâs 23rd appearance at Wembley with City â another record eclipsing former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp by 17 matches â with appearance No.24 coming next month against either Chelsea and Leeds in the showpiece.
MANAGER VERDICT
âI never thought it would be easy.
âSo the energy we had in the second half from Jeremy and Savinho, if they started from the beginning they would not have this energy. Because Jeremy, especially when you play three days, three days, three days, the risk of getting injured is so massive.
âThe players deserved to play, they helped us. The first half was not bad. We didnât concede much.
âIn the second half, we played at the level we played in Burnley but unfortunately we arrived in the 18-yard box and we were not clinical enough.
âYou have to wait for the holding midfielder to score an outstanding goal. And Jeremy with the first.
âHow many times in the second half did Southampton cross the halfway? One. And what a goal.
âFootball is unpredictable. Big credit for the way they defend, the way they play.
âAnd, again, the team in the second half was really exceptional. The amount of âgo, go, goâ.
âWe created chance after chance after chance. But football is like this.
âWe equalise through the deflection. When you analyse, we created chances more clear than that. Thatâs football.â
DOKU REACTION
âWe have one objective and that is to win the trophy. Thatâs what weâre going for.
âIt was a very difficult game, a very compact team, a good team, who play football from the back. We knew it was going to be difficult.
âIn the second half we pushed and pushed and then they scored the goal. We knew we had to score within the next 10 or 15 minutes.
âWe managed to continue what we were doing, pushing forward, and then we scored two nice goals.â
WHAT IT MEANS
City are through to our fourth successive FA Cup final.
We will hope to capture our second piece of silverware of the season as we face either Chelsea or Leeds at Wembley on Saturday 16 May, kick-off 15:00 (UK).
The Carabao Cup is already in the cabinet as Pep Guardiola now eyes yet more silverware with what would be his third FA Cup win and his 20th major trophy with the Blues.
WHATâS NEXT
Itâs back to Premier League action for our next assignment as we travel to Everton in nine daysâ time.
The game takes place at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday 4 May, kick-off 20:00 (UK).
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í©: ìœì§ ìì êČœêž°ëŒë êČì ìêł ììë€
í© êłŒë„ŽëìŹëŒ ê°ë ì ìì êłŒ ì ìë€ìŽ ìŹì°ì€ííŒêłŒì FAì»” ì€êČ°ìčìŽ ìŽë €ìŽ êČœêž°ê° ë êČìŽëŒë ì ì 충ë¶í ììíêł ììë€êł ë°íë€. Read more
Brief highlights: City 2-1 Southampton
Enjoy bite-sized action from Cityâs FA Cup semi-final victory. Watch more
Full Match Replay: City v Southampton
From the first kick to the last, our FA Cup semi-final against Southampton in full... Watch more
City will face either Chelsea or Leeds on Saturday 16 May, the Whites and the Blues meeting on Sunday for the chance to face Pep Guardiolaâs men.
THE GAME IN 250 WORDS
It was the most glorious evening for football as City and Southampton took to the pitch at Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final.
Pep Guardiolaâs Blues were looking to reach a fourth successful final as we also hunted down our second piece of silverware this season after Marchâs Carabao Cup triumph.
Tonda Eckertâs Saints, meanwhile, were hoping to add the scalp of City to those of Fulham and Arsenal as the Championship outfit went into this one on the back of 20 games unbeaten in all competitions.
City fans unveiled an Oasis-inspired tifo just before kick-off, Liam and Noel Gallagher featuring in all their glory alongside the wording âCity are Back. City are Back. Hello. Helloâ. By the end of the game, the Blues were guaranteeing yet another trip to Wembley â Guardiolaâs 24th in 10 years â with Chelsea or Leeds lying in wait next month.
When the game kicked off, Cityâs first half was one of effort and endeavour but Guardiolaâs men couldnât find the end product.
Tijjani Reijnders had a shot forced against the post by keeper Daniel Peretz in the opening exchanges after a pinpoint cut back from Omar Marmoush while the Egyptian then had his effort blocked by Nathan Wood â both promising moves eventually seeing an assistant referee flag go up for offside.
Then Southampton thought theyâd opened the scoring when Leo Scienza calmy slotted past James Trafford. Saints fans celebrated wildly but realisation slowly dawned that the goal had been chalked off after another offside.
Despite that scare, City were still the team in the ascendancy with midfielder Mateo Kovacic, making his first start of the season, showing pace and grace to evade a number of Saints players on his march into the box before eventually firing wide of the mark from an acute angle.
Marmoush â in the thick of the action - then forced Peretz into a point-blank save after being played in by a clever Reijnders pass in the left channel.
In the second half, the Blues were again bossing the contest and looking far more likely to make the breakthrough. Lots of huffing and puffing as they looked to blow down the Saints door.
Phil Fodenâs shot was too high to trouble Peretz while Reijnders had an effort blocked as he broke clear into the box and saw another just fly past the Saints No.41âs left-hand post.
Sub Jeremy Doku was immediately involved after coming on just shy of the hour mark, playing in Rayan Ait-Nouri who cut back for Marmoush but the Blues No.7 couldnât keep his effort down.
Fellow sub Savinho then forced a smart save from the busy Peretz with Guardiola rallying his players from the sidelines.
Nico, Rayan Cherki and Reijnders were then all out of luck in front of goal as a trio of chances in quick succession went begging.
Amazingly, Southampton opened the scoring with a Finn Azaz strike from distance flying past Trafford and giving the Saints an unlikely lead.
But the Blues hit back with a Doku drive that flew in after a deflection via right-back James Bree.
And then Nico won it for City with a brilliant blast from distance with minutes remaining on the clock.
TEAMS
CITY XI: Trafford, Nunes, Stones (C), Ake, Ait-Nouri (OâReilly 71â), Nico, Kovacic (Doku 58â), Reijnders (Silva 85â), Cherki, Foden (Savinho 58â), Marmoush (Haaland 71â)
Subs: Donnarumma, Guéhi, Khusanov, Lewis
SOUTHAMPTON XI: Peretz, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Welington (Matsuki 76â), Jander, Bragg (Charles 61â), Fellows, Azaz, Scienza, Stewart
Subs: Long, Quarshie, Jelert, Robinson, Edozie, Archer, Larin
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: NICO GONZALEZ
You always know what youâre getting with Nico Gonzalez â or so we thought!
Our central midfielder is renowned for his industry and tenacity in screening the back four and being a vital cog in the central ground.
What we didnât know about him was his ability to score screamers, his last-gasp stunner helping see off stubborn Southampton and send us triumphantly into a record fourth successive FA Cup final.
It was quite some moment and his goal was worthy of winning any game of football.
PEPâS WEMBLEY WONDERS
Pep Guardiola broke yet more FA Cup records tonight after the dramatic 2-1 triumph over Southampton.
The clash with the Saints represented Guardiolaâs eighth consecutive FA Cup semi-final with City - a run stretching back to 2018/19 â and a record in the competition!
Victory over Tonda Eckertâs men ensured the Blues reached a fourth successive FA Cup final â another record with no team managing this feat in the competition.
The game also represented Guardiolaâs 23rd appearance at Wembley with City â another record eclipsing former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp by 17 matches â with appearance No.24 coming next month against either Chelsea and Leeds in the showpiece.
MANAGER VERDICT
âI never thought it would be easy.
âSo the energy we had in the second half from Jeremy and Savinho, if they started from the beginning they would not have this energy. Because Jeremy, especially when you play three days, three days, three days, the risk of getting injured is so massive.
âThe players deserved to play, they helped us. The first half was not bad. We didnât concede much.
âIn the second half, we played at the level we played in Burnley but unfortunately we arrived in the 18-yard box and we were not clinical enough.
âYou have to wait for the holding midfielder to score an outstanding goal. And Jeremy with the first.
âHow many times in the second half did Southampton cross the halfway? One. And what a goal.
âFootball is unpredictable. Big credit for the way they defend, the way they play.
âAnd, again, the team in the second half was really exceptional. The amount of âgo, go, goâ.
âWe created chance after chance after chance. But football is like this.
âWe equalise through the deflection. When you analyse, we created chances more clear than that. Thatâs football.â
DOKU REACTION
âWe have one objective and that is to win the trophy. Thatâs what weâre going for.
âIt was a very difficult game, a very compact team, a good team, who play football from the back. We knew it was going to be difficult.
âIn the second half we pushed and pushed and then they scored the goal. We knew we had to score within the next 10 or 15 minutes.
âWe managed to continue what we were doing, pushing forward, and then we scored two nice goals.â
WHAT IT MEANS
City are through to our fourth successive FA Cup final.
We will hope to capture our second piece of silverware of the season as we face either Chelsea or Leeds at Wembley on Saturday 16 May, kick-off 15:00 (UK).
The Carabao Cup is already in the cabinet as Pep Guardiola now eyes yet more silverware with what would be his third FA Cup win and his 20th major trophy with the Blues.
WHATâS NEXT
Itâs back to Premier League action for our next assignment as we travel to Everton in nine daysâ time.
The game takes place at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday 4 May, kick-off 20:00 (UK).
News about Man City v Saints
Guardiola says domestic treble is 'far away'
Pep Guardiola refused to be drawn on talk of City winning a domestic treble after reaching the FA Cup final for a record fourth successive time. Watch more
20-minute highlights: City 2-1 Southampton
CITY+ subscribers can enjoy 20-minute highlights from our FA Cup semi-final win at Wembley. Watch more
Doku: Our objective is to win the FA Cup
After a dramatic 2-1 semi-final win over Southampton, Jeremy Doku is eager to go one step further and win the FA Cup in next month's showpiece final at Wembley. Watch more
8-minute highlights: City 2-1 Southampton
Watch the best of the action from Cityâs FA Cup semi-final triumph at Wembley. Watch more
í©: ìœì§ ìì êČœêž°ëŒë êČì ìêł ììë€
í© êłŒë„ŽëìŹëŒ ê°ë ì ìì êłŒ ì ìë€ìŽ ìŹì°ì€ííŒêłŒì FAì»” ì€êČ°ìčìŽ ìŽë €ìŽ êČœêž°ê° ë êČìŽëŒë ì ì 충ë¶í ììíêł ììë€êł ë°íë€. Read more
Brief highlights: City 2-1 Southampton
Enjoy bite-sized action from Cityâs FA Cup semi-final victory. Watch more
Full Match Replay: City v Southampton
From the first kick to the last, our FA Cup semi-final against Southampton in full... Watch more
