Nico Gonzalez’s stunning strike fired Manchester City into the FA Cup final as Pep Guardiola’s men produced a late fightback to beat Southampton 2-1 on Saturday.
The Saints appeared heading towards a first FA Cup final since 2003 when Finn Azaz’s brilliant finish put the Championship side in front 11 minutes from time.
However, City avoided the same fate that Arsenal suffered in the quarter-finals to remain on course for a domestic treble.
Jeremy Doku’s deflected effort quickly levelled before Gonzalez rifled in from long range three minutes from time.
The defeat ends Southampton’s 20-game unbeaten run that has propelled them into contention for an immediate return to the Premier League.
The Saints also knocked out City’s title rivals Arsenal in the previous round and will rue a glorious chance missed to return to Wembley next month.
Guardiola made eight changes from the side that went top of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Burnley on Wednesday.
Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Doku were among those to miss out and City took 45 minutes to find their feet.
