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FA Cup highlights: Manchester City v Southampton
A year ago, Manchester City faced uncertainty, potentially facing their first trophyless season since 2017.
Now, just 12 months later, Pep Guardiola has revitalized the squad, positioning them as contenders to become only the second English team to secure a domestic treble.
Notably, Guardiola’s City achieved this feat in 2019.
Having already claimed the Carabao Cup at Wembley, the team remains in the Premier League title race and is now set for a record fourth consecutive FA Cup final appearance on Saturday, May 16.
They secured their place with a hard-fought victory, rallying with two late goals to overcome a resilient Southampton side and avoid a potentially embarrassing defeat.
City’s recent FA Cup final history includes a win against Manchester United in 2023 during their Treble-winning season, a loss to the same rivals the following year, and an unexpected defeat to Crystal Palace last May.
“It’s too far away,” Guardiola commented regarding the treble possibility. “After the final [league] game against Aston Villa, we can assess our chances, but it’s currently a distant prospect.”
“For now, it’s crucial for the players to rest for three days. I’ve advised them to switch off from football. The season resumes with five games and the FA Cup final. I’d suggest the Premier League title is almost out of reach, we’re back in second, we’ll see…”
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‘Unstoppable’ Gonzalez strike gives Man City the lead against Southampton
At this time last year, Liverpool were dominating Tottenham to win the Premier League, with City trailing by 18 points in a season marked by the absence of major silverware.
Guardiola acknowledged the Community Shield win but considered the campaign a disappointment by his high standards.
Securing Champions League qualification on the final day proved to be a relative high point, followed by further setbacks in the Club World Cup in the United States.
The departures of key players like Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, and Ederson led to questions about the team’s rebuild with a focus on younger talent.
Doubts intensified with an inconsistent start, including two defeats in the first three games and three consecutive draws early in 2026, but the new additions seem to be hitting their stride at the right moment.
After tasting success in the Carabao Cup, City will be strong favorites in the FA Cup final, regardless of whether they face Chelsea or Leeds United. However, reclaiming the Premier League title may present the greatest challenge.
City briefly topped the table on goals scored after a narrow win at Burnley on Wednesday, but now trail Arsenal after the Gunners secured a hard-fought victory against Newcastle.
Guardiola’s tenure has yielded six Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups, and two FA Cups, and he remains in contention for a repeat of the treble achieved seven years ago.
He stated: “Six games remain – victory ensures our place, defeat ends our chances. People often define [City] by Champions League wins, but five Carabao Cup [wins] and four consecutive FA Cup final appearances also define the club.”
“Injuries and poor form can always occur. We’ve consistently competed in the Premier League and are in the final again. We have time to prepare with our fans after a mentally and physically demanding week.”
Former City defender Micah Richards commented on BBC One: “When Manchester City appeared vulnerable, they found strength from within, which is characteristic of champions.”
“Despite some vulnerabilities in City’s transitions, the team is capitalizing on crucial moments at this stage of the season.”
Manchester City narrowly avoided a major FA Cup semi-final upset against Southampton, with late goals from Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez securing their spot in the final.
Guardiola’s record in the competition now stands at 45 wins in 53 matches, representing the highest win rate (85%) among managers with a significant number of games in the competition’s history.
Match-winner Gonzalez told BBC One: “This has been a vital week for us. We’re still in contention in the league and have reached another final. This will be my second FA Cup final, and I hope we can win it.”
Winger Doku, the first Belgian to score in an FA Cup semi-final since Eden Hazard in 2017, added: “Reaching the final is always a remarkable journey. To reach the final again is unbelievable.”
Guardiola remarked: “It’s always satisfying to compete against top teams. No team has reached four consecutive finals [before].”
“It’s extraordinary, and hopefully, we can maintain our momentum.”
Starting with a trip to Everton on Monday, May 4, City face six games in 21 days, a period that will determine whether they conclude the season in triumph or disappointment.
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