Two Man City players missed their chance vs Southampton but Pep Guardiola given glimpse into future

Manchester City reached a fourth FA Cup final in a row as they beat Southampton 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.

As Manchester City and Southampton prepared to do battle on a glorious Saturday evening, it was easy to see which team was accustomed to their surroundings. While the Saints created a sea of yellow 45 minutes before kick-off, many City fans were still finding their seats as the game kicked off.

This leisurely start in the stands translated onto the pitch. While the game followed the script in the first 20 minutes, the Blues did not have that urgency we have come to expect. Tijjani Reijnders' blushes were spared inside six minutes as he struck the post from close range.

But as the half wore on, it was the Championship club that grew in confidence, not least when Phil Foden attacked down the right, turned backwards before being outmuscled by Caspar Jander. It was a tough evening for Foden, who failed to show Guardiola what he was missing.

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Omar Marmoush was another with a point to prove. Playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland is not easy for anyone.

However, instead of leaving Guardiola with food for thought, the striker showed why Haaland is one of the best centre-forwards in world football. More than once Marmoush wanted an extra touch and, even against Championship opposition, you do not get that time.

While Guardiola will have been disappointed by his forwards, he will have been encouraged by his midfield. Rodri's injury absence and Bernardo Silva's drop to the bench gave the Blues chance to see a different midfield partnership in action.

Nico Gonzalez and Mateo Kovacic had only played alongside each other in four matches prior to the semi-final. You would not have known it watching them on Saturday.

The duo forged a solid partnership as they protected the Blues' defence. Kovacic was particularly impressive in the first half as he took it upon himself to drive City up the pitch. He was the clear standout in a poor first half.

One of City's biggest strengths this season has been starting second halves like a bullet train and the semi-final was no exception. The Blues looked to turn the screw as they moved up to third gear.

Marmoush again was afforded the best opportunity but Daniel Peretz was equal to it. There was plenty of huffing and puffing but something needed to change.

The introductions of Jeremy Doku and Savinho sparked City into life. Every blue shirt lifted themselves as the Belgian terrorised Tom Fellows and Savinho forced a good stop. City's best chances continued to fall for Marmoush, though, with the outcome the same every time.

Eventually, the call was made to bring Marmoush off. Both he and Foden did little to change Guardiola's mind on his strongest XI.

City's changes made them a greater threat but with each attack that Southampton managed to survive, the more their fans believed. As the game was sleepwalking into an extra 30 minutes, suddenly it sparked into life.

Finn Azaz sent the Saints fans into raptures with a curling effort that was worthy of winning any game. Just three minutes later, Doku rescued the Blues as his strike sneaked into the bottom corner.

Suddenly Wembley was alive and City thrived. With chances at both ends, Rodri's possible future replacement stepped up to the plate.

The Spaniard delivered a thunderbolt the Ballon d'Or winner would be proud of to spark bedlam in the City end. It was not vintage City but the result was all that mattered.

City are just one game away from adding trophy number two to a possible domestic Treble.