LONDON: Manchester City finally got the better of Southampton at the third attempt this season with a 4-1 win to move into the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday. Crystal Palace also hit four to thrash struggling Everton 4-0 to make the last four. City’s bid to retain their Premier League title has been hindered by two draws against the Saints and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men held their own again for an hour at St. Mary’s. Adam Armstrong nearly made the most of a rare start when he hit the post early on for the home side. But just seconds later Raheem Sterling opened the scoring with a cool finish from Gabriel Jesus’ pass. Ilkay Gundogan then hit the woodwork, but Southampton got the equaliser their first-half performance deserved when Aymeric Laporte deflected Mohamed Elyounoussi’s cross into his own net.
With the tie delicately poised, the Saints’ good work was undone when Mohammed Salisu needlessly dived in on Jesus to concede a penalty. Fraser Forster got a hand to Kevin De Bruyne’s spot-kick but could not keep it out. City’s strength in depth off the bench then took the game away from the hosts as substitutes Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez produced lethal finishes to give the scoreline a harsh reflection on Southampton.
Vieira’s Palace progress: Earlier, Palace stormed into the last four for the first time in six years by seeing off sorry Everton. Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Wilfried Zaha and Will Hughes got the goals as the Eagles continued their impressive first season under Patrick Vieira. Everton’s focus now turns to just staying in the Premier League as they sit perilously just above the relegation zone. Everton managed just a second league win in 12 games against Newcastle on Thursday and started like they could build on that confidence boost. However, there was no way back once their frailty from set-pieces was exposed for the opening goal.
Guehi was called into the England squad for the first time this week and celebrated with his fourth goal since joining from Chelsea as he headed in Michael Olise’s corner. The combination of Olise, Zaha and Eberechi Eze then began to cut Everton apart, no more so than in a flowing move for the second goal.
Eze’s quick feet freed Zaha down the left and his low cross was swept in by Mateta. Two more goals in the final 11 minutes set the seal on a resounding Palace win. Zaha was alert after Olise’s shot looped up onto the post to slot home his 10th goal of the season. And Hughes rounded off the scoring with his first goal since 2019 on the rebound after Jordan Pickford produced a stunning save to deny Conor Gallagher. The winners of Liverpool’s visit to Nottingham Forest will complete the semi-final line up alongside Chelsea, City and Palace.