Manchester City marched through to their fifth FA Cup semi-final appearance in six years after defeating Southampton 4-1 at St Mary's.

Raheem Sterling gave Pep Guardiola’s side an early lead, but that was cancelled out before the break by an Aymeric Laporte own goal.

Kevin De Bruyne restored the visitors' advantage from the penalty spot just after the hour mark, though, and substitutes Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez struck in the final quarter of an hour to complete a commanding victory. 

Unbeaten in their last eight FA Cup matches on home soil, Southampton went close to breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute when Adam Armstrong hit the post after latching onto Oriel Romeu's neat throughball.

City capitalised on their good fortune two minutes later. Jack Stephens failed to clear De Bruyne's cross and Gabriel Jesus teed up Sterling, who found the net in the competition for an eighth successive season.

The visitors had won all 27 matches when scoring first this term. They almost doubled their lead as Ilkay Gundogan struck the post from Joao Cancelo's inviting centre, while Rodri drilled marginally wide from distance.

But the hosts levelled with the last kick of the first half; Mohamed Elyounoussi beating the offside trap before his cross deflected in off Laporte.

City restored their advantage in the 62nd minute with De Bruyne tucking away from 12 yards after Mohammed Salisu brought down Gabriel Jesus.

Foden and Mahrez were introduced shortly afterwards and both made their marks to put the tie beyond the Saints with two goals in the space of three minutes.

England international Foden fired home a stunning volley from the edge of the box, before Mahrez swept in the fourth goal – and his 14th in 16 appearances. 

What does it mean? The treble is still on

Premier League leaders City, who will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, remain in the hunt for three trophies this season.

The Citizens maintained their impressive record against Southampton, having now lost just once in 14 meetings between the sides under Guardiola.

Meanwhile, the Saints suffered only a fourth defeat in 19 FA Cup matches.

De Bruyne delightful

As is often the case, De Bruyne set the tempo for City as he pulled the strings in the middle of the park.

The Belgium international registered the most passes in the final third (29), while no player recorded more shots on goal (four – level with Sterling, Mahrez and Armstrong).

He also delivered three crosses during the contest – a tally only bettered by James Ward-Prowse (eight).

Foden continues to shine in the FA Cup

The England international arrived in the contest having been directly involved in 10 goals in his nine previous FA Cup starts – scoring six and assisting four.

Although he began on the bench, Foden wasted little time in making an impact; a sweetly struck volley from the edge of the penalty area all but sealing the deal for his side.

What’s next?

City will discover the identity of their FA Cup semi-final opponents later today. Next up for them is a trip to Burnley after the international break (April 2), while Southampton travel to Leeds United on the same day.