Guardiola’s Manchester City conjure up yet more ‘iconic moments’ in their second home

“I don’t remember scoring one as good as that before and to do it at this stadium and this amazing atmosphere was incredible,” González said.

There are bigger battles for City in the next month, with a Premier League title within their sights having looked unlikely to challenge at the start of the year when they could not string victories together. Nobody at that stage would have thought they would compete for a domestic Treble.

But here they are, still waiting to hit top form. Guardiola was slumped in his chair sipping water when Azaz scored, but eventually his decisions turned the game – bringing on the cavalry after a Cup shock looked a possibility.

He did not particularly want to bring on Bernardo Silva or Doku, yet those first-choice players were on the pitch to turn this tie around. Erling Haaland also came on when the result was in the balance, Guardiola’s second-string struggling against opponents on the back of a 20-game unbeaten run.

City’s players were tested and Guardiola will be thankful that some of his fringe players have been given such an examination. It could be needed in the next month during “squeaky-bum time” in the title race. They all have three days off now before turning their attention to the league. Five healthy wins will see them crowned champions and defeating Leeds or Chelsea at Wembley will see them win the Cup.

“Six games, with every game we win, we’ll be there. We lose, it’s over,” Guardiola said. “It’s always nice to be here fighting against top teams. No team has made four finals in a row [before]. It’s extraordinary and hopefully we can arrive with a good momentum.”

There were patches of empty seats in the City end of the stadium, which was down to a number of factors. There will surely be a time when City miss these trips to Wembley. Under Guardiola there have been 23 so far – so regular that they have become routine. “They will come to the final, you’ll see,” Guardiola said.

With the cost of filling up a car to travel down the M6 and limited trains to get back to Manchester in the evening, the City end was outnumbered by 35,000 Southampton fans creating a wall of yellow. The Football Association gave them special dispensation to wear the colour they sported in the 1976 final when, as a Second Division team, they shocked Manchester United.  “Yellow. Yellow,” was the droning chant from the Saints end.

Saints players threw bodies at the ball and blocked shots on goals, then took their chance in spectacular style when it came their way with 11 minutes remaining. Azaz, with options to consider in the penalty area, went for goal with a curler the angled into the top corner. No wonder he was patting his own back in the celebrations.

But the lead only lasted a few minutes, with City working the ball around the edge of the penalty area before eventually finding Doku in a position to shoot. His effort kissed off James Bree, cruelly wrong-footing Daniel Peretz, the Southampton goalkeeper, who had been equal to everything thrown at him beforehand.

“I was analysing the game in the first half. We were playing in the middle a lot. I knew that I had to bring a threat and make it uncomfortable for the full-backs,” Doku said. “Everybody tells me I need to be more selfish. When I have the ball, the first thing I think is ‘who is free?’ Instead of ‘where is the goal?’ I have to be more selfish in those moments.”

González’s moment of magic came while many were expecting extra-time. With Southampton legs tiring, they backed off the Spanish midfielder and invited him to shoot. They clearly did not expect him to fire a rocket into the top corner, with his reaction suggesting he may not have expected it either.

“I expect it more from the wingers and strikers but Nico deserves it,” Guardiola said. “He has made an incredible season and what a goal. He has to believe in himself more that he can do more and not play to be safe. That is the mentality he has to play with as a holding midfielder. He is a young guy and can improve a lot.

“Football is like this, we scored with a deflection. You analyse yourself and how good we are – it was a deflection. We create chances, more and more clear, so that’s football.”

Southampton pay gritty tribute to 1976 heroes

Leo Scienza applauds the 35,000-strong Southampton end at Wembley after the FA Cup semi-final defeat - Robin Jones/Getty Images

In the end class told. And silverware-accumulating nous. Plus a bench that cost more than the gross national product of several global states combined. But how City were made to work for their reward. Guardiola’s side may well be on course for their second clean sweep of domestic trophies, but rarely in their all-conquering prime can they have faced opposition as determined as this. The blocks and interventions, the throwing themselves at every shot, the tackling masterclass: from Tonda Ekhart’s Southampton this was stubbornness writ large.

Up in the pricey seats, the Oasis maestro Noel Gallagher observed it all with a wry smile. Last summer when he visited the stadium for his own turn as the centre of attention it certainly was a lot fuller than the sparsely populated City end here. But he is an experienced enough Blues watcher to know that, in the Guardiola years, rarely can they have encountered a side less willing to be overawed than this Southampton team.

Indeed their team wore a replica of the yellow and blue kit their predecessors sported when they won the Cup in 1976. That was when Lawrie McMenemy’s second tier side upended the overwhelming favourites Manchester United, then managed by the ebullient Tommy Docherty.

And when they saw the team sheet, they must have thought City were going to repeat the error of their neighbours half a century ago and were about to treat them with a complacent lack of regard. Nathan Aké, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Omar Marmoush: this was a City selection that looked like a team of those being given a farewell run-out, a thank you for your efforts: the Guardiola equivalent of the testimonial. That Foden was the first to be replaced spoke loud about his place in the wider City landscape.

But even so, Southampton’s ability to stop them in their tracks at every turn was exemplary. As Nathan Wood, Casper Jander and Cameron Bragg flew into tackle after tackle, the sound emanating from the Southampton end was close to a collective purr. And when Finn Azaz’s magnificent shot torpedoed into the roof of James Trafford’s goal to give their team the lead, it looked as if superstition might prevail. It was a goal about to be etched in Southampton folklore, up there with Bobby Stokes’ winner 50 years ago.

Finn Azaz celebrates his stunning effort with the Southampton supporters - Paul Childs/Reuters

It was not to be. Pep Guardiola may have been required to send on the cavalry of Jérémy Doku, Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva, but City were ultimately too crafty, too smart, too determined not to be embarrassed. Doku’s equaliser got them back into it quickly enough to stymie any Southampton momentum. And Nico Gonzalez’s winner more than matched Azaz’s strike for its belligerent perfection.

But for the Southampton fans providing a thunderous soundtrack to their team’s efforts – still singing about how the Saints were marching on some 10 minutes after the final whistle blew time on their defeat – there was still pleasure to be drawn. Last season, as their then manager Russell Martin waffled on about sticking to his failing philosophy of always playing out from the back, their club was an exemplar of decline. Had this tie taken place a year ago, City would have rolled over them barely breaking sweat. But Eckert has turned them back into something proper, these are serious contenders. Here we saw how they have stormed into the Championship promotion frame. And if they do clinch promotion back into the Premier League over the next fortnight, those watching on will have taken note. This is not a Southampton side to be dismissed as an easy three points. This is an outfit who will fight you to the last.

07:52pm

Guardiola also speaks to TNT Sports

07:43pm

Winning goal-scorer Gonzalez talks to TNT Sports

07:30pm

Man City still on course for a domestic treble this season

Following Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle United this evening, Man City have dropped to second in the Premier League, but have a game in hand on the title-chasing Gunners.

07:28pm

Commiserations to Southampton

An FA Cup run, which yielded victories over Fulham and Arsenal, ends at the semi-final stage for Southampton, who have suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Man City at Wembley.

07:26pm

Doku reacts to Man City’s dramatic victory

07:18pm

Man City reach another FA Cup final

07:13pm

FT: Man City 2 Southampton 1

Man City squeeze into the FA Cup final in extraordinary circumstances. Southampton appeared to be on the verge of an incredible upset, when Azaz curled in a sumptuous 79th-minute effort into the top corner to open the scoring. However, Man City didn’t panic and equalised a few moments later through Doku’s deflected strike. Man City’s comeback was complete in the 87th minute, when Gonzalez powered a thunderous shot into the top corner. What a game at Wembley. The Southampton players look gutted but can be incredibly proud of their defiant performance. Guardiola’s side will play either Chelsea or Leeds United in the FA Cup final on 16th May.

07:10pm

90+4: Man City 2 Southampton 1

Can Man City hold on and protect their slender advantage? Southampton have pushed them every step of the way.

07:07pm

90+1: Man City 2 Southampton 1

Unreal defending from Matsuki. Southampton have a corner and it’s cleared by Man City. Doku then beats Peretz to the ball on the halfway line, but the winger takes it too wide and can’t get a shot off. Southampton chase back and Doku tees up Savinho, whose near post effort is heroically cleared off the line by Matsuki.

07:02pm

GOAL! Gonzalez puts Man City in front with a thunderous effort

This game is the gift that keeps on giving. Gonzalez picks the ball up and from an incredibly long distance, he unleashes a screamer which flies into the top corner. Peretz simply has no chance. The Man City midfielder hits it with so much power that he almost takes the net off. What a breathless finale to this game.

Whatever Southampton can do, City can do better. What a cracker of a goal that was from Nico Gonzalez, spanked from outside the box, requiring neither deviation nor deflection as it sped into the top corner. Finally class tells.

07:02pm

85 min: Man City 1 Southampton 1

Silva enters the action for Man City, replacing Reijnders. A couple minutes earlier, Matsuki had a fierce shot tipped over by Trafford.

06:59pm

GOAL! City reply almost instantly through Doku

City are back on level terms just a few minutes later. Doku chops inside and dribbles into a central position before shooting. His effort takes a wicked deflection off Bree and agonisingly trickles into the bottom corner.

06:54pm

GOAL! Azaz curls an incredible effort into the top corner

What a finish from Azaz, who opens the scoring for Southampton in unbelievable fashion. Southampton have been camped inside their penalty area for the entirety of this second half, but finally get forward through Matsuki. The substitute plays a pass behind Azaz. The playmaker turns, takes a touch, before curling an extraordinary shot into the top corner. Southampton fans are in dreamland and the FA Cup final now feels within touching distance.

Well that’s changed things. After a masterclass in the enduring art of the block and the intervention, the last minute tackle and the never say die resolve, Southampton produce a thing of beauty to take the lead. Finn Azaz’s screamer of a shot from outside the area is already as embossed on Southampton memories as Bobby Stokes’s winner in fifty years ago.

06:53pm

76 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Welington foes down and takes his shin-pad off, signalling that he has an injury. As a result, he’s withdrawn for Matsuki.

06:52pm

75 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Can Haaland make the difference for Man City at Wembley?

Erling Haaland replaces Omar Marmoush as Manchester City continue their hunt for a goal - BEN STANSALL/AFP

06:49pm

72 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Charles’ careless pass is intercepted and Man City pounce. Cherki plays in Gonzalez, whose thunderous effort is saved by Peretz. Cherki then has a shot blocked and appeals for a penalty, before Reijnders slides a strike narrowly wide. Charles will be the most relieved man in the stadium.

06:46pm

71 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Here he is. Haaland comes to a huge roar as he replaces Marmoush. O’Reilly also enters the action, coming on for Ait-Nouri. Guardiola is throwing everything at Southamptom now.

06:44pm

69 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

We are still waiting for our first goal in this FA Cup semi-final.

06:42pm

67 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

It’s wave after wave of Man City pressure at the moment. Harwood-Bellis is the latest Southampton player to put his body on the line as he brilliantly tackles Ait-Nouri inside the penalty area.

06:39pm

64 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Southampton can’t clear a Man City and the ball eventually breaks to Savinho, who aims for the far bottom corner with a powerful curling effort. However, Peretz is alert and does well to make the save and push the ball out of danger.

06:38pm

63 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Marmoush is so close to an opener... Cherki dribbles into the box and works some space with his superb trickery. He slides a cross to the back post. Marmoush throws himself as it, but it’s just out of his reach. Southampton are clinging on at the moment.

06:36pm

60 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Doku’s defence-splitting pass plays in Ait-Nouri, who tees up Marmoush. From inside the penalty area, the attacker gets the shot completely wrong and he hits an effort over the bar. Marmoush is off balance and completely miscues his finish.

Southampton make a double change as Larin and Charles replace Stewart and Bragg.

06:34pm

59 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Doku instantly makes an impact as he draws the attention of two Southampton defenders, giving Reijnders some space to drift into. The midfielder shoots, bending a curling effort for the far corner, but his strike flies just wide.

06:33pm

58 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Unbelievable defending from Wood, who makes two huge blocks to deny Cherki and Nunes. Man City also make their two changes, with Doku and Savinho replacing Foden and Kovacic.

06:31pm

56 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

There is activity on Guardiola’s bench, with some imminent Man City changes coming up.

06:29pm

54 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

What a touch from Kovacic, who kickstarts a Man City attack by releasing Marmoush. The Egyptian draws a foul off Harwood-Bellis, but Man City don’t make the most of the free kick, which Southampton comfortably clear.

06:27pm

52 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Marmoush has to pick someone out there... Once again, he makes a piecing run and breaches the Southampton defence. The forward gets to the byline, but can’t find Cherki or Marmoush with his cross. Cherki then picks up the ball on the right, drives into the penalty area and flashes a dangerous delivery across goal. Man City are applying pressure to Southampton at the start of this second half.

06:24pm

49 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Ait-Nouri does amazingly to juggle the ball and dribble into Southampton’s box. He tries to tee up Reijnders, but he’s smothered by the Southampton defence. Marmoush then latches onto a long ball, before his low effort is blocked.

06:22pm

47 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Early chance for Southampton in the second half as Azaz touches the ball into Fellows’ path. The winger sprints into the penalty area, but Ake does brilliantly to track back and make the sliding tackle before Fellows can shoot.

06:21pm

46 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

We are back under way for the second half. Both sides are unchanged at the break. How long will Guardiola wait before introducing some substitutes?

06:14pm

Man City’s star-studded bench waiting in the wings

For all Southampton’s determined aggression, their excellent tackling, their absolute refusal to be overawed, one significant problem remains for them. And it is not that on the pitch. They have coped with aplomb with everything City have thrown on them thus far. It is what lurks on the bench. Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland: it is surely only a matter of time before Pep Guardiola, losing patience with his second string, brings on the cavalry.

06:04pm

HT: Man City 0 Southampton 0

It’s half-time at Wembley, with score locked in at 0-0 between Man City and Southampton. A much-changed City have really struggled to find any rhythm. Southampton have done excellently to neutralise the threats of Cherki, Foden and Marmoush. Eckert’s men have also shown promise going forward, with Scienza having an early goal ruled out for offside. Man City are waiting to unlock Southampton, who have produced a highly-competitive first half performance. This match is so finely-poised as we await the second half.

Tonda Eckert will undoubtedly be the happier manager at half-time - Matt Watson/Southampton FC

06:02pm

45 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Foden dances into the penalty area, but Southampton swarm the Man City man and stop him from unleashing a shot. When Guardiola’s side have had the ball out wide, they’ve really missed Haaland. There is no physical presence in the box. Cherki and Foden have struggled to find any space between Southampton’s midfield and defence.

06:00pm

44 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Nunes is back on and he’s going to give it a go. Khusanov is warming up and is ready to be called into action if needed.

05:58pm

41 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

There is a break in play here as Nunes is down with an injury. Man City aren’t taking any chances and Khusanov looks like he is ready to enter the action. Whilst Nunes receives treatment, both sides get instructions from their managers.

05:56pm

38 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Guardiola has cut an anxious figure at various points in this first half. Man City have been far from their best.

Manchester City have struggled against Southampton in this first half - VINCE MIGNOTT/Shutterstock Editorial

05:52pm

35 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Kovacic plays in Marmoush, who sneaks in behind the Southampton defence. From a tight angle, the Man City forward shoots, but Peretz covers his near post well to make the save. Man City then recycle a corner and they clip a cross towards an unmarked Reijnders at the back post. The attacking midfielder attempts an audacious overhead kick, but it flies out for a goal kick.

05:50pm

33 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Southampton’s tackling so far has been the very definition of committed. As exemplified just then by Cameron Bragg’s uncompromising slide in on Omar Marmoush as he sped forward on the counter attack.

05:47pm

30 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Southampton full-back Bree swings a menacing cross into the box. Harwood-Bellis could have thrown himself at it, but the delivery drifts out for a goal kick. That’s another half-chance for Eckert’s men, who are applying some notable pressure to Man City.

05:46pm

28 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

It’s also a massive day for Foden, who has fallen down the pecking order at Man City this season. With Cherki, Doku and Semenyo the first choice attackers to support Haaland in Premier League games, this FA Cup match is a real opportunity for the Englishman, but he’s been non-existent so far.

Phil Foden is yet to impact this FA Cup semi-final for Manchester City - Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

05:43pm

27 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Southampton can be incredibly proud of their performance in this opening 27 minutes. They’ve defended well, are working determinedly as a unit and have looked dangerous on the counter. Overall, it has been a confident display so far.

05:40pm

24 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Cherki tiptoes into the penalty area and shoots, but his strike is blocked by a sea of Southampton bodies. The Man City technician has been relatively quiet so far at Wembley.

05:39pm

22 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Scienza floats a cross towards Stewart. It’s just too high for the striker, who is always reaching for the cross as he heads it over the bar.

05:37pm

19 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Kovacic drives into the Southampton penalty area and fizzes a powerful low effort across goal. It flashes across the six-yard box. It was begging for a touch. If Haaland was on the pitch he could of had a tap in.

05:33pm

15 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

That goal is the blueprint for Southampton. They need to hit Man City on the counter by launching the ball up to Stewart, who can hold it up, before bringing runners like Scienza, Azaz and Fellows into play.

05:31pm

12 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Southampton score, but the offside flag is up. Their joy is cut short by the linesman. Stewart holds up the ball well and Scienza races through on goal, before calmly slotting his one-on-one effort into the bottom corner. However, the winger was a few yards offside.

Southampton’s fans are momentarily back in 1976. All around the stadium they are bouncing. But Leo Scienza’s neat finish is undermined by the linesman’s flag. And rightly so.

05:27pm

10 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Fellows strides forward and threads a pass through towards Jander, who is under pressure from Reijnders. The Southampton midfielder goes down, but there is very little contact and no one appeals for a penalty.

05:25pm

8 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Man City have had all the possession in these opening few minutes. They’ve got Southampton camped inside their own half at the moment.

05:23pm

5 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

How has that not gone in?! Marmoush breaches the Southampton backline and slips a pass through to Reijnders, who slams a close-range effort against the post. There’s a scramble in the six-yard box and Southampton then hook the ball off the line. However, upon the replays, Marmoush was offside, so even if it had gone in for Man City, it wouldn’t have counted.

05:19pm

2 min: Man City 0 Southampton 0

Stewart and Azaz link up well, and the latter passes to Scienza. The winger crosses the halfway line and you can hear the energy and enthusiasm from the away fans. The attack comes to nothing, but you can see Southampton’s intent.

05:16pm

Kick-off

Man City get us under way at Wembley. Which side will book the first place in the 2026 FA Cup final?

05:12pm

The teams are out

Man City and Southampton emerge from the tunnel to an electric reception from both sets of fans. Kick-off is just minutes away.

City are back! City are back! Hello! Hello! - reads the massive Tifo at the City end of the stadium, with images of the Gallagher brothers singing.

05:04pm

Premier League results

Friday 24th April

Sunderland 0 Nottingham Forest 5

Saturday 25th April

Liverpool 3 Crystal Palace 1

West Ham United 2 Everton 1

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Tottenham Hotspur 1

05:01pm

Southampton fans out in full force

Southampton fans are generating an incredible noise inside Wemley Stadium - Paul Childs/Action Images via Reuters

Southampton supporters are enjoying themselves in North London - BEN STANSALL/AFP

04:56pm

Southampton in blue and yellow for this Wembley showdown

04:53pm

Man City out for their warm up

John Stones has not played since early March but captains Man City today - Dylan Martinez/REUTERS

Manchester City duo Nico Gonzalez and Rayan Ait-Nouri emerge for the warm up - Dylan Martinez/REUTERS

04:47pm

Can Southampton take advantage of Man City’s rotated line-up?

Southampton are surfing the nostalgia of their glorious FA Cup victory here at Wembley 50 years ago. They are wearing the same colour change kit as they did that day despite the fact there is no colour clash with City’s sky blue. And the talk among their fans coming up Wembley Way was of history repeating itself. For those of us with longer memories, what was most remarkable about that match 50 years ago was Manchester United’s woeful complacency, half their players were convinced that just turning up would land them the Cup. That is one thing nobody could accuse Pep Guardiola of being. But then you look at the City team selection and you begin to wonder whether those Southampton fans may have a point.

04:40pm

Pep Guardiola also speaks to TNT Sports

04:38pm

Tonda Eckert’s pre-match thoughts

04:36pm

Tonda Eckert with one eye on the Championship

Southampton are captained by ex-City centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis but Shea Charles, who also came through the Academy at the Etihad Stadium, is on the bench. Tonda Eckert also has a big Championship game on Tuesday when they face promotion rivals Ipswich Town.

04:34pm

Pep Guardiola names a heavily rotated line-up

Mateo Kovačić is back in the Manchester City team for his first start of the season after suffering an ankle injury. The Croatia midfielder, 31, has come off the bench after recovering from his long-term injury but this is his first start, with Pep Guardiola making sweeping changes from the team that defeated Burnley in midweek. Matheus Nunes, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Rayan Cherki are the only players to keep their place from the Turf Moor win. Erling Haaland is on the bench for City.

04:32pm

The teams in full

Man City: Trafford, Matheus Luiz, Stones, Ake, Ait Nouri, Gonzalez, Kovacic, Cherki, Reijnders, Foden, Marmoush.

Subs: Donnarumma, Haaland, Doku, Guehi, Silva, Savio, O’Reilly, Khusanov, Lewis.

Southampton: Peretz, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood-Gordon, Welington, Bragg, Jander, Fellows, Azaz, Scienza, Stewart.

Subs: Long, Quarshie, Jelert, Charles, Matsuki, Robinson, Archer, Edozie, Larin.

Referee: Craig Pawson.

04:16pm

Southampton team news

Tonda Eckert has named six alterations to the side which drew 2-2 with Bristol City in midweek.

Leo Scienza starts on the wing, while Welington, Cameron Bragg and Casper Jander are also in the line-up.

Flynn Downes and Ryan Manning are both suspended, while Jack Stephens isn’t fit enough to make the squad.

04:15pm

Man City team news

Pep Guardiola has dipped into his tremendously deep squad and made eight changes to the team which squeezed past Burnley.

John Stones captains the side, with the likes of James Trafford, Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush all starting. The Spanish coach has an immensely talented bench to fall back on, with players such as Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva and Nico O’Reilly amongst the substitutes.

Man City are without Rodri, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, who are all missing with injuries.

04:06pm

Tonda Eckert has been an inspired appointment for Southampton

The German coach took temporary over Southampton back in November, with the club just one place above the relegation zone in the Championship. The following month, he was appointed on a permanent basis. Now, Southampton are firmly in contention for the play-offs and have this FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

Telegraph Football Reporter Mike McGrath analyses Southampton’s rise under the 33-year-old.

Manager Tonda Eckert has turned Southampton’s around in style - Andrew Matthews/PA

03:58pm

Their paths to this stage

Man City

Third round: Man City 10 Exeter City 1

Fourth round: Man City 2 Salford City 0

Fifth round: Newcastle United 1 Man City 3

Quarter-final: Man City 4 Liverpool 0

Southampton

Third round: Doncaster 2 Southampton 3

Fourth round: Southampton 2 Leicester City 1

Fifth round: Fulham 0 Southampton 1

Quarter-final: Southampton 2 Arsenal 1

03:51pm

The four remaining sides

Man City will play Southampton today, with kick-off at 17:15. The other semi-final will see Chelsea face Leeds United at Wembley on Sunday afternoon at 15:00.

03:49pm

What a glorious setting

03:45pm

Can Southampton cause an upset against Man City?

Hello and welcome to our live blog for the first of this season’s FA Cup semi-finals as Manchester City take on Southampton at a sun-soaked Wembley Stadium.

It’s the business end of the season, and Pep Guardiola’s sky blue machine is purring. Man City head into this contest on a five-game winning run, where they’ve collected two victories over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final and the Premier League, while also beating Liverpool, Chelsea and Burnley.

Having already ticked the Carabao Cup off their list, Man City are charging towards a domestic treble. They’re now top of the Premier League and are the overwhelming favourites to win the FA Cup as they’re expected to bulldoze Southampton here at Wembley, and whoever gets to the final out of Chelsea and Leeds United.

Despite all Guardiola’s glittering success at Man City, this season’s FA Cup is an opportunity for redemption after losing the competition’s last two finals against Manchester United and Crystal Palace in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Southampton stand in Man City’s way, and they’re in phenomenal form. Tonda Eckert’s men are on a stunning 20-match unbeaten streak, dating back to January when they lost 2-1 against Hull City. This run has catapulted Southampton into the play-offs as they sit fifth in the Championship.

FA Cup victories over top-flight duo Fulham and Arsenal have also been standout moments for the club in 2026, and they enter this fixture with confidence, knowing they’re perfectly capable of causing an upset.

While promotion to the Premier League is probably Southampton’s ultimate aim, an unlikely FA Cup triumph would put this current group of players in the history books and etch them into the club’s folklore.

This game is an all-conquering force against a team with absolutely nothing to lose. For Man City, trips to Wembley are a regular occurrence and happen each season, while for Southampton, they will dream of an extraordinary upset.

Kick-off is at 17:15, with team news on the way shortly.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.