Key Takeaways
- Manchester City defeated Southampton 2-1 to reach a fourth consecutive FA Cup final.
- Pep Guardiola insists his team must treat their final five league matches as decisive cup ties.
- City trail Arsenal by three points in the Premier League table but hold two games in hand.
Pep Guardiola has instructed his Manchester City squad to approach their remaining Premier League schedule as a series of cup finals. The demand came after his side staged a late recovery to beat Southampton and secure a place at Wembley.
Southampton appeared set for a surprise victory when Finn Azaz struck from 25 yards in the 79th minute. The lead lasted only three minutes, as substitute Jérémy Doku levelled the score. Nico González then sealed the win with a powerful long-range effort in the 87th minute.
The result sends City into the FA Cup final for the fourth year running. They will await the winner of the second semi-final between Chelsea and Leeds United. The final takes place on 16 May.
Guardiola praised his players for their second-half performance. He noted they created numerous opportunities and restricted the opposition’s advance. However, he stressed that the focus must now shift entirely to the domestic league title race.
Following Arsenal’s victory over Newcastle, City sit three points behind the league leaders. Crucially, the defending champions have two matches in hand. Their next fixture is an away trip to Everton.
“We have six cup finals now,” Guardiola stated. “Every Premier League game we win keeps us in the fight. If we lose one, our challenge is finished.”
The Southampton manager expressed frustration with the result but urged his players to recover quickly. He highlighted that conceding two goals from outside the penalty area is rare against City. His team must now prepare for a vital Championship fixture against Ipswich Town.