Manchester City created history by becoming the only team to have reached the FA Cup final in four consecutive years, after their gruelling battle with Southampton, at Wembley in front of a massive 70k attendance.
Pep Guardiola made eight changes to the team that scraped past Burnley in midweek, to give rest to some tired legs. The second string side had several opportunities to score but were wasteful, with Omar Marmoush in particular getting into good positions just to squander the advantage.
Southampton defended and gave a good account of themselves to be worthy opponents to City, to shock them in the 79th minute. Finn Azaz, who had had a fine season with the Saints, produced a ripper from well outside the box to stun City. It was pure magic from the Saints. Pep Guardiola just sank back into his chair. The jolt was telling. But the Mancunians had to reply, and so they did.
The hardworking Doku provided the equaliser just 3 minutes later. His shot entered the net after a deflection from a defender. But it was enough. City were back in it, and anything could happen with just a few minutes remaining.
Nico Gonzalez, just two minutes later, struck a 30-yard screamer that flew in the air and, in the blink of an eye, had entered the net. It was a ferocious strike indeed, with power and precision written all over it. The Saints were heartbroken, with some fans beginning to cry in the stands while the City fans began jumping with joy.
Manchester City had survived the Southampton test as the long whistle blew and will have a chance to double their trophy cabinet this season after winning the EFL Carabao Cup last month. The treble is very much alive, thanks to the Nico show.
City, who lost to Crystal Palace last year in the FA Cup final, will square up against the winner of the Chelsea-Leeds United contest this evening.
The Mancunians… what a team.
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