Manchester City kept their hopes of a domestic treble alive with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Southampton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium.
Belgian-Ghanaian forward Jeremy Doku proved decisive after coming off the bench to spark a late comeback, scoring an equaliser before assisting the winning goal in a frenetic finish.
City appeared to be heading for a frustrating evening when Southampton took a surprise lead in the 79th minute. Finn Azaz found the breakthrough, finishing off a move set up by Kuryu Matsuki to put the underdogs within touching distance of a famous upset.
However, the momentum shifted quickly following Doku’s introduction in the 58th minute. The 24-year-old winger injected urgency into City’s attack and was rewarded in the 82nd minute when he found the net after being set up by Tijjani Reijnders. His goal brought City level and reignited their push for victory.
Just five minutes later, City completed the turnaround. Nico González struck a powerful effort from distance in the 87th minute, with Doku again at the heart of the move, providing the assist that sealed the win.
The late flurry of goals ensured City avoided what would have been a significant setback in their pursuit of multiple trophies this season. Southampton, who had defended resolutely for much of the match, were left to rue the rapid shift in fortunes during the closing stages.
Doku’s impact did not go unnoticed, with the winger earning a perfect match rating of 10 from Sofascore — the highest of any player on the pitch. His performance underscored the influence he brought after entering as a substitute, playing a central role in both goals that defined the outcome.
The victory sends Manchester City into the FA Cup final and keeps alive their ambitions of securing a domestic treble.
Attention now turns back to league action, where they are scheduled to host Everton on Monday, 4 May 2026, in a crucial Premier League fixture.
For Southampton, the defeat marks a bitter end to their cup run, having come within minutes of a place in the final before City’s late resurgence turned the tie on its head.
