Manchester City’s anxiety lasted 8 minutes — turnaround to reach the FA Cup final!

While Arsenal were battling Newcastle at home in the Premier League, Manchester City were competing in a different competition at Wembley — the FA Cup semi-final against Southampton. Guardiola’s side dominated for almost the entire match, but then came a shock in the 79th minute as the Championship side found a goal. However, their joy didn’t last long. The Manchester team quickly showed their superiority, scoring twice in rapid succession to turn things around and secure their place in the final.

Manchester City thought they had taken an early lead in the 5th minute when Reijnders struck the post after a good save from Peretz, but the referee had already ruled it offside anyway as Marmoush, who provided the cut-back, had been in an offside position. It was an early warning for Southampton, who were caught out quite easily.

Southampton responded quickly and had the ball in the net in the 12th minute through Scienza, but the flag was raised for offside, denying them what would have been a huge moment. Despite that setback, the Saints looked confident and felt they could hurt City, with both teams finding space in an energetic and end-to-end start.

City’s best spell came around the 20th minute when Kovacic produced a brilliant solo run from midfield into the box. However, his final ball across goal failed to find a teammate, and he may have been better off squaring it earlier.

Southampton also threatened from set pieces, and in the 30th minute Harwood-Bellis came very close to connecting with a dangerous free-kick delivery, but he just couldn’t reach it in time.

The closing stages of the half saw more chances at both ends. In the 35th minute, Peretz made an excellent reaction save to deny Marmoush from close range at the near post, before also dealing with Reijnders’ awkward volley from the resulting corner.

The second half at the Etihad was full of drama, missed chances, and a late shock as Southampton struck against the run of play.

Southampton actually had the first big opportunity after the break in the 47th minute. Fellows raced in behind City’s defence and found himself in a dangerous position, with Scienza available in support, but his poor first touch took him away from goal and allowed City to recover before he could shoot or pass — a wasted chance.

City responded quickly in the 49th minute when Marmoush got onto a through ball and tried to finish from inside the box, but his shot was deflected over the bar after good defending from Harwood-Bellis.

From there, it was almost entirely Manchester City pressure. In the 52nd minute, they pinned Southampton back, with Ake and Cherki combining in attack, but Cherki’s dangerous cross flashed across the goal with nobody there to finish it.

Reijnders came close in the 59th minute with a long-range effort that looked destined for the corner, but Peretz stayed alert and watched it drift narrowly wide. A few minutes later, in the 62nd minute, City were inches away again as Marmoush stretched for a cross but failed to make contact.

Southampton briefly broke in the 64th minute, but the final pass was overhit, wasting another rare opportunity, while Savinho was denied at the other end by a solid save from Peretz.

City continued to push relentlessly. In the 73rd minute, Savinho had another shot saved, Reijnders fired just wide, and there were penalty appeals when Cherki’s effort struck a Southampton defender, but VAR ruled there was no handball.

Then came the shock. In the 79th minute, Southampton took the lead with a moment of brilliance. Azaz produced a superb turn and curled the ball into the top corner with only their second shot on target of the match, completely against the run of play.

Southampton’s celebration didn’t last long, as Doku scored the equaliser just three minutes later. Doku tried his luck from the edge of the box, and this time fortune was on City’s side. The substitute’s shot took a deflection off Bree on its way through, wrong-footing Peretz and ending up in the net.

In the 87th minute, Manchester City scored a spectacular goal to take the lead. Gonzalez struck the ball from distance with incredible power, leaving Peretz with no chance as it flew into the net — a truly stunning finish.

FA CUP

Semi-finals

Saturday

Manchester City - Southampton 2-1 (0-0)

/Doku 82, Gonzalez 87 - Azaz 79/

Sunday

17.00: (2.15) Chelsea (3.45) Leeds (3.35)

***odds are subject to change***