Goals in the second half from Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez helped send Manchester City through to the FA Cup semi-finals with a 4-1 win over Southampton on Sunday.
Raheem Sterling took City to St. Louis.
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Despite conceding early, Southampton continued to threaten. They created a number of chances and said their pressure shortly before the break. Stuart Armstrong played an excellent breakthrough on Mohamed Elyounoussi, whose low cross was converted by defender Aymeric Laporte into City’s goal for an own goal.
Pep Guardiola’s side typically dominated the ball in the second half and came back as striker Gabriel Jesus fell into the Southampton box after a nudge in the back of Mohammed Salisu, with De Bruyne then scoring a penalty.
The city added a third on 75 minutes through Foden, who collected the ball after a blocked shot from De Bruyne before goalkeeper Fraser Forster shot, and Mahrez sealed a convincing victory with his own strike shortly afterwards.
The result means the city stays active in two cup competitions – the Champions League and the FA Cup – as well as leading the Premier League into business at the end of the season.
“They are pushing you with incredible intensity but the goal we were given was a consequence of us forgetting to play,” Mayor Pep Guardiola told the BBC.
“It was not a comfortable victory but now we are going into the international break, it is two months into the season and we are in three competitions – semi-finals of the FA Cup, quarter-finals of the Champions League and top of the league.
“We know every game is a final and we knew it was important not to lose today.”
However, Southampton’s efforts were thwarted by Mohammed Salisu, who unnecessarily reduced Jesus to a penalty in the 61st minute.
Kevin de Bruyne came up to transform from the spot, with his considerable effort under Forster’s outstretched arm.
Che Adams had a great opportunity to equalize, shooting straight at goalkeeper Zack Steffen, and Southampton were penalized two minutes later when Phil Foden struck a German strike from the edge of the area to increase City’s advantage.
Riyad Mahrez finished off a quick charge from the left of the field by chipping the ball just past the home side’s keeper, making the score 0 – 1 79 minutes into the match.
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