Manchester City booked their place in a record-breaking fourth consecutive FA Cup final after a late comeback sealed a 2–1 victory over Championship side Southampton at Wembley on Saturday, keeping alive their hopes of a domestic treble.
City, fielding a largely rotated side, were made to work hard by a spirited Southampton team sitting fifth in the EFL Championship. The Saints, who were riding a wave of 20 unbeaten matches including a shock quarterfinal win over Premier League leaders Arsenal, thought they had taken the lead in the first half when Leo Scienza found the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
Pep Guardiola’s side found greater rhythm after the break with the introductions of Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku. Despite City’s pressure, it was Southampton who struck first — Finn Azaz unleashing a superb long-range drive in the 79th minute to send the underdogs’ fans into raptures.
But City responded instantly. Doku levelled the score four minutes later before substitute Nico Gonzalez produced a thunderous 30-yard winner in the 87th minute to secure City’s 22nd straight victory over lower-league opposition in the competition and a slice of FA Cup history.
“It’s always nice to be here fighting against the top teams,” Guardiola said afterward. “No team has made four finals in a row. It’s extraordinary, and hopefully we can arrive with good momentum.”
The victory continues Guardiola’s remarkable record in domestic cup competitions since arriving in England in 2016. Under his leadership, City have lifted the FA Cup twice (in 2019 and 2024) and reached five semifinals in seven seasons, reinforcing the Spaniard’s dominance in England’s knockout format. His side’s 2019 triumph — part of a domestic treble — remains one of the defining achievements in modern English football.
City, who have seven FA Cup titles to their name, will face the winners of Sunday’s semifinal between Chelsea and Leeds United in the final on May 16. Having already clinched the League Cup earlier this season and locked in a fierce Premier League battle with Arsenal, Guardiola’s men remain on course for yet another sweep of domestic silverware.
