At 23:00 Beijing time on March 20, the 1/4 final of the FA Cup, Manchester City played Southampton away.
Manchester City currently have 70 points in 29 Premier League games, leading by one point, reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League will be against Atletico Madrid, and if the FA Cup can advance to the semi-finals, there will be hopes of competing for the "Treble" this season.
Southampton are 10th in the Premier League table, the Premier League is a desireless and demanding, and the FA Cup can be completely let go. Although Manchester City's overall strength is far above their own, Southampton is not indispensable, and the two sides have met in the Premier League in the past 2 times, and they have reached a draw. Last season, Southampton drew 0-0 away to Manchester City, and this season, it drew 1-1 at home with Manchester City.
In the campaign, Manchester City started 433, Graliches, Sterling and Jesus formed a forward trident, midfielder Gundogan, Rodri and De Bruyne, four defenders Cancello, Laporte, Stones, Walker, goalkeeper Steffen. With a combined value of €580 million for the starting eleven, Guardiola didn't make much rotational adjustments to the starters, clearly aiming to beat their opponents to advance.
Southampton started 442, with Sean Lang and Armstrong double forwards. The total value of the starting eleven is 140 million euros.
In the opening 4th minute, Southampton counter-attacked quickly, but Sean Long did not stop the ball in the box.
In the 5th minute, Gundogan's cross was met by Sterling's shot that was confiscated by the goalkeeper.
In the 9th minute, Armstrong's shot hit the upright.
In the 11th minute, De Bruyne passed the ball into the box, Stephens did not kick far, Jesus crossed, Sterling pushed the ball, and the ball was scored! Manchester City led Southampton 1-0 away.
In the 26th minute, Cancello's cross was met by Gundogan's shot that hit the upright and jesus' shot was blocked.
In first-half stoppage time, El Yunusi successfully countered the offside, grabbing the ball before Steffen and then sweeping it in front of goal, where Laporte slammed the ball into his own door. Manchester City dramatically equalised by their opponents.
In the 47th minute, Steffen's pass was cut off, but Armstrong's shot was also deflected.
In the 59th minute, Wardpleus broke the ball in front of him and then fired a long-range shot that was taken down by Steffen.
In the 60th minute, Jesus was fouled inside the penalty area, the referee awarded a penalty after being prompted by VAR, De Bruyne took the lead, and Manchester City 2-1 Southampton.
In the 76th minute, Manchester City's attack, Salisu's header was not far away, it was picked up by Foden, and the England youngster directly shot and the ball was scored! City extended the score to 3-1.
In the 78th minute, Cancello's clever pass, Gundogan was divided to the right, Mahrez scored the goal, and Manchester City locked the score at 4:1 to advance to the FA Cup semi-finals.