Manchester City booked their place in a fourth consecutive FA Cup final after defeating Southampton 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday.

Nico Gonzalez was the matchwinner for City in the 87th minute, just eight minutes after Finn Azaz put the Saints ahead in a dramatic affair in London.

Leo Scienza thought he had given Southampton a shock lead in the 12th minute, but his celebrations were cut short after the linesman intervened for offside.

The first half was fairly quiet from there on in, with Daniel Peretz's save to deny Omar Marmoush at the near post the only highlight, but City upped the pressure after the break.

The Saints were pinned inside their own box as Tijjani Reijnders curled narrowly wide, Marmoush shot over from close range and Savinho's effort was parried away by Peretz.

However, after City failed to hit the back of the net with three shots in the space of six seconds, Azaz opened up his body and curled into the far corner from outside the box to stun the Premier League outfit.

That lead only lasted three minutes, though, as Doku saw his shot deflect past Peretz off the outstretched leg of James Bree.

And City did not look back as Nico thundered a long-range rocket into the top corner to break Southampton hearts, though they perhaps should have scored a third when Savinho saw an effort cleared off the line late on.

Data Debrief: Doku delivers for City

City's pressure eventually told in the semi-final, with Pep Guardiola's side producing 1.83 expected goals (xG) from 26 shots to Southampton's 0.2 from four attempts.

Doku was at his free-flowing best for the Premier League side, creating a match-high five chances, while completing 11 of his 14 dribbles and winning 13 of his 16 duels (both match-highs) to go with his goal and assist.

Nico's strike was scored from 30.1 yards out; the longest range goal by a City player this season.

Indeed, 50 per cent of the Spaniard's goals (2/4) in all competitions for City have come from outside the box.

Guardiola's side are now the first team to reach the FA Cup final in four consecutive seasons, though they have won just one of their past three.