Manchester City 2-1 Southampton: FA Cup Semi-Final Live Report

Manchester City became the first club to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals after a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Southampton at Wembley. The Championship side looked set for a famous upset when Finn Azaz scored one of the great Wembley goals in the 79th minute, curling an unstoppable 25-yard effort into the top right corner. However, City's quality told in the final stages as Jeremy Doku equalised eight minutes from time via a deflection off James Bree, before Nico Gonzalez sealed victory with a spectacular 25-yard strike into the top-left corner. "It is my third final in three years … every time it is like wow, what a journey," Doku told the BBC. "I was analysing the game in the first half … we were a lot in the middle … as soon as I came in, I knew I had to bring more threat." Match-winner Gonzalez, awarded Player of the Match, said: "I don't remember scoring a goal as good as that to be honest … it's amazing to score at the end … with this amazing stadium, with this atmosphere, it's an amazing feeling … we played really good in the second half." Southampton's manager Tonda Eckert received emotional praise from Pep Guardiola after the match, with the City boss embracing his opposite number and whispering in his ear. "We knew it was not going to be easy," added Doku. "Saints are a good team … a lot of quality players … I was not surprised." City will face either Chelsea or Leeds United in the final, while Southampton's players received a standing ovation from their fans despite the defeat. The match was described as an "instant classic" with both teams deserving credit for an entertaining encounter.