Manchester City produce late flourish to surge to victory at Southampton

It had hardly been a wobble for Manchester City. A couple of 0-0 draws, the first against Sporting in a Champions League tie that was already sewn up; the second at Crystal Palace in the Premier League. But when the club give their critics so little ammunition, anything will be seized upon, particularly with Liverpool so remorseless, hoovering up the space behind them in the league.

This was a brutal flexing of City’s authority, a step into a fifth FA Cup semi-final in six seasons under Pep Guardiola, the manner of their surge to victory in the closing stages taking the breath.

Southampton had been game opponents and the substitute Che Adams had a golden chance for 2-2 in the 74th minute only to shoot too close to Zack Steffen after good work from Mohamed Elyounoussi.

City responded as if they had been personally affronted. Guardiola had introduced Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez as substitutes after the hour and now they turned the screw. Foden’s goal for 3-1 was a shot of vicious power, the ball exploding off his left boot from the edge of the area to zip past Fraser Forster and, when Mahrez lashed inside the near post minutes later, some of the Southampton support made for the exits.

Manchester City v Nottingham Forest/Liverpool

Chelsea v Crystal Palace

The ties to be played at Wembley on 16/17 April.

They missed Mahrez and Raheem Sterling blowing glorious late chances as their team fell apart. It is one thing to match the City machine for the majority of a contest. Quite another to do so over the duration. Southampton had dreamed of a third FA Cup semi-final appearance in five seasons. It was laid waste with the minimum of ceremony.

These are discombobulating times, geopolitics casting a shadow over the sport we love,