Manchester City beat Southampton 4-1 in the FA Cup on Sunday, to progress to the semi-finals of the competition.
The Sky Blues didn’t have it all their own way at St Mary’s, but goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez after the break ensured Pep Guardiola’s men saw off the Saints.
It was Southampton who started the most assertive in the early stages, with Adam Armstrong striking the post after 10 minutes.
But moments later City found the game’s opening goal, with the visitors pouncing on an error from Jack Stephens. The defender’s poor clearance fell straight to Gabriel Jesus, who passed it into a waiting Raheem Sterling to coolly slot beyond Forster.
From there, City were in the ascendancy with Jesus shooting over, and Rodri’s effort deflecting wide. Pep Guardiola’s men also had a great chance to find a second when Ilkay Gundogan hit the post from inside the six-yard box.
But the Saints rallied from that point and Kyle Walker-Peters had two strikes, while Oriol Romeu’s effort was held by Zack Steffen, and Stuart Armstrong fired wide .
Just before the break, Southampton found a deserved equaliser when Mohamed Elyounoussi’s cross fortuitously deflected off Aymeric Laporte and ended up in the back of the City net.
That energy and pressing continued after the break, with Adam Armstrong having two strikes, while James Ward-Prowse forced Steffen to hold from distance.
City also were creating goalscoring chances and De Bruyne saw his effort blocked, before Rodri fired wide.
Although Southampton were on top, City grabbed the next goal of the game. Mohammed Salisu tripped Jesus inside the box and Mike Dean had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. It was De Bruyne who stepped up and placed it into the bottom corner.
The hosts responded well with a few strikes, including a great chance for Che Adams which was saved, but then City took over.
Foden and Mahrez were introduced after the hour mark and both found the back of the net to take the game away from Southampton.
Firstly, Foden struck past Forster when he connected perfectly with a bouncing ball from just outside the area, to net a third FA Cup goal this season. Then Mahrez made it four when he collected the ball just inside the box and casually directed it into the bottom corner.
After such a tough game, the latter stages were quite straightforward for City, with Mahrez producing two dangerous strikes, although the scoreline finished 4-1 at St Mary’s.
1. Zack Steffen- 6
Got his positioning wrong for Southampton’s goal but dealt well with the several shots he faced from the hosts.
2. Kyle Walker- 6
His backtracking runs helped City keep the Saints out during their spells on top and it was a solid afternoon from the full-back.
3. John Stones- 7
City’s best player defensively and the England international cut out several Southampton shots and crosses while also looking good on the ball.
4. Aymeric Laporte- 5 (off 82)
Had a sloppy afternoon and misplaced a few too many passes for City. The defender was unfortunate with his own-goal, but was far off his best.