Manchester City power past Southampton and into FA Cup semi-finals

Dominant Manchester City powered into the FA Cup semi-finals after beating Southampton 4-1 at St Mary's Stadium on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s side had failed to win either Premier League game against the Saints this season, but their emphatic victory kept them on course for a treble.

Raheem Sterling had put the league leaders ahead in the 12th minute, only for Aymeric Laporte to level the scores with an own goal just before half-time.

Kevin De Bruyne restored City's lead with 62nd-minute penalty after Mohammed Salisu brought down Gabriel Jesus. Phil Foden’s cracking finish made it three in the 75th minute, with Riyad Mahrez finishing off the victory three minutes later.

"We started well, for the first 20-25 minutes but for the last 15 of the first half we forgot to play, knowing that this would be difficult because Southampton is one of the best, most organised teams we face all season," said Guardiola.

"They push you with incredible intensity but the goal we conceded was a consequence of us forgetting to play.

"The second half was much better, in personality and play. They had one chance for Che Adams, at 2-1, but the quality of our players up front made the difference.

"It was not a comfortable victory but now we go into the international break, there are two months left in the season and we are in three competitions – semi-final of the FA Cup, quarter-final 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."

The home side nearly took an early lead on the south coast when Adam Armstrong was played in behind the City defence, but his slightly scuffed shot rolled back off the far post.

It proved a costly miss as moments later, City took the lead with