Pep Guardiola hailed Phil Foden after his superb strike helped Manchester City beat Southampton 4-1 in their FA Cup quarter-final.

The England international thumped home a wonderful left-footed effort to give City a 3-1 lead at St Mary’s.

Victory over Saints set up a mouth-watering semi-final meeting with Liverpool and Guardiola felt Foden and Riyad Mahrez made the difference after the break.

But he reserved special praise for Foden, 21, claiming few in the world could replicate his strike.

Guardiola said: "A few, there are not many but a few, he is one of them who has [the ability to score from there].

"He has an incredible shot, he's quick, fast, he's a fantastic player — we know it. Close to the box he has a sense of goal, he was really brilliant.

"It was a tight game, it was [like] in the Premier League games against Southampton because of the quality they have. 

"They are incredibly organised and in front of the ball they are so aggressive and of course have a good build-up.

"But after 2-1, the second half we were much, much better and in the end the quality from Phil and Riyad made the difference."

Sterling proves his worth

Raheem Sterling’s future remains up in the air after he was left on the bench for the 4-1 win over Manchester United and the goalless draw at Crystal Palace.

But he started on the South Coast — netting his 14th goal of the campaign to give City an early lead — and Guardiola knows the importance of the experienced forward to his squad.

He said: "Raheem deserves the best things. I said many times, what we have done these seasons would not have been possible without him.

"He is an important player but right now I have never had this amount of quality, the huge talent I have up front, in the six seasons [as City manager].

"Even Gabriel [Jesus]. He is a top player, made an assist and won the penalty. But sometimes I don’t select him.

"I am glad Sterling played really well. He was so aggressive in the final third, always created things. I am very pleased for him."

Progress to the last four of the Cup means City are still fighting for three trophies, leaving Guardiola excited at the prospect of a Treble.

He added: "After we come back, we know what we have. We have the quarter-final of the Champions League, we have the Premier League, we have semi-finals of the FA Cup. The nice thing for the team is that fact.

"Arriving in the last weeks of the season we are there fighting for the titles. This is so nice. I would have smiled at the beginning of the season to be in front of you at this stage and to be in this position.

"How many times has it [the Treble] happened in this country? Once. It is not easy."