Southampton 'heading in the right direction'

[BBC Sport]

[Getty Images]

Southampton fans travelled to Wembley for the FA Cup semi‑final against Manchester City with hope more than expectation.

We knew we'd win the battle off the pitch - our support is always exceptional on the big days - but the question was whether our team, on a 20‑match unbeaten run, could trouble the best team in England in their second home?

Yes it could.

Tonda Eckert, who has managed fewer games (35) than Pep Guardiola has won trophies (40), produced a gameplan that that was executed perfectly as we arrived in the 79th minute, goalless.

You often hear a phrase these days that games are decided by moments… and did we have a moment?

Finn Azaz pirouetted onto a square pass from Kuryu Matsuki and curled a stunning effort beyond James Trafford.

Pandemonium amongst the yellow wall at the west end of Wembley and for two surreal minutes, it was on.

We had, however, poked the bear, and the gameplan of defending the penalty area was no longer enough as City, now reinforced by Pep, from their ridiculous bench, began shooting from range.

Doku equalised via a heavy deflection, and after Matsuki forced a save at the other end, González — a £50m squad player that City barely use — unleashed a ridiculous strike to turn the game.