Manchester City eye FA Cup glory as domestic treble dream
Manchester City booked their place in the 2026 FA Cup final after a dramatic 2–1 comeback win over Southampton at Wembley, which also kept their hopes of a domestic treble alive. The semi-final tie looked to be slipping away when Southampton struck late through Finn Azaz in the 79th minute. It felt deserved, because the Saints had put in a disciplined defensive display up to that point that had frustrated City for long spells.
But Pep Guardiola’s side responded immediately, with Jérémy Doku levelling moments later after a deflected effort. Nico González then produced the decisive moment in the 87th minute, rifling one into the top corner from more than 30 yards out to complete the turnaround and seal progression to the final.
The truth is that City’s superior depth made the difference in this game. Guardiola’s late introductions changed the flow of the match, and their sustained pressure overwhelmed a resilient Championship side that had been unbeaten in 20 matches prior to the tie. The victory sends City into a fourth consecutive FA Cup final, which also happens to be an unprecedented feat in the competition’s history.
From stuttering start to treble contenders
City’s march to Wembley has been emphatic. Their 4–0 demolition of Liverpool in the quarter-finals already made them the side to beat, but throughout the competition, they had maintained a dominant scoring record. More broadly, this FA Cup run reflects a wider domestic resurgence.
After an inconsistent start to the 2025/26 campaign, Guardiola’s side have rebuilt momentum across competitions. They have already secured the EFL Cup and remain firmly in the Premier League title race despite being outsiders until the turn of the new year. That revival has repositioned City on the brink of another historic domestic treble. The squad’s depth, tactical adaptability, and experience in decisive moments have turned a shaky campaign into a heroic one defined by never-give-up moments.
In the Premier League, they have chased down all the initial title contenders, done away with them, and have caught up to Arsenal, who have led the league for so long that their win felt inevitable.
They now look more like champions than the Gunners do, while also preparing for another FA Cup final. Awaiting them in the final at Wembley is Chelsea, with the showpiece scheduled for 16 May.
