Man City Fight Back to Beat Southampton, Reach Record FA Cup Final

Manchester City staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Southampton FC and secure a record fourth consecutive FA Cup final appearance, keeping their hopes of a domestic treble alive under manager Pep Guardiola.

City, already winners of the Carabao Cup this season, will return to Wembley on Saturday, 16 May, where they will face either Chelsea FC or Leeds United in the final as they chase another trophy under Guardiola’s reign.

Guardiola rotated heavily for the semi-final clash, making eight changes from the midweek win over Burnley, and City struggled to find rhythm early on against a well-organised Southampton side.

The first half was scrappy, with few clear chances. Omar Marmoush went closest for City when his near-post effort was saved by goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, while Southampton briefly thought they had taken the lead through Leo Scienza, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Southampton grew into the match after the break and registered their first shot on target on the 55th minute through Ross Stewart, but James Trafford was equal to the effort.

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At the other end, City substitute Savinho forced a save from Peretz with a curling effort as pressure began to mount on the Championship side.

The semi-final exploded into life in the final 15 minutes. Southampton stunned City when Finn Azaz produced a brilliant curling strike from distance into the top corner to give the underdogs a shock lead and spark wild celebrations among their supporters.

However, City responded almost immediately. Just two minutes later, Jeremy Doku saw his deflected shot loop into the net, restoring parity and shifting momentum firmly back to the Premier League champions.

With extra time looming, City completed the turnaround when Nico González unleashed a powerful strike beyond Peretz to seal the comeback and send Guardiola’s side through to another FA Cup final.

The victory extends Manchester City’s dominance in domestic cup competitions and keeps alive their pursuit of a rare domestic treble, with the club once again showing resilience in a high-pressure knockout tie.

Southampton, despite the defeat, earned praise for pushing the Premier League giants to the limit with a disciplined and spirited performance.

Man City Fight Back to Beat Southampton, Reach Record FA Cup Final

Barcelona Beat Getafe 2–0 as Rashford Stars in Crucial Win

FC Barcelona took another major step toward the La Liga title race with a 2–0 victory over Getafe CF, a match highlighted by a composed finish from Marcus Rashford as the Catalan side capitalised on dropped points by Real Madrid.

Barcelona entered the fixture knowing that rivals Real Madrid had been held to a 1–1 draw by Real Betis, opening the door for Hansi Flick’s side to extend their lead at the top of the table. The result saw Barcelona move 11 points clear with five matches remaining in the season, edging closer to a potential 29th league title.

The hosts started strongly and broke the deadlock just before half-time when Fermín López finished off a well-worked move initiated by a precise pass from Pedri, giving Barcelona a 1–0 lead at the break.

Getafe, who remain in contention for European qualification, responded after the restart with increased attacking pressure, forcing Barcelona into a more defensive shape for parts of the second half. However, the visitors struggled to convert their possession into clear chances.

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Barcelona’s attacking depth proved decisive once again. Despite missing injured winger Lamine Yamal—who was sidelined after a hamstring issue sustained in the previous match against Celta Vigo—the team maintained their fluid forward movement.

Rashford, currently on loan from Manchester United, sealed the victory with his seventh La Liga goal of the campaign. The decisive moment came from a quick transition, with Robert Lewandowski threading a perfectly weighted pass over the Getafe defence.

The England international collected the ball from deep in his own half, surged forward with pace, and calmly finished past goalkeeper David Soria to put the result beyond doubt.

Barcelona controlled the closing stages to secure a comfortable win, reinforcing their position at the summit as the title race enters its final stretch.

The performance further highlights Rashford’s growing influence in Spain, with his goals and pace becoming an important part of Barcelona’s attacking system under Flick.

Barcelona Beat Getafe 2–0 as Rashford Stars in Crucial Win

Ex-Super Eagles Striker Dies After Collapsing During Training

Former Nigerian international striker Mike Eneramo has died after collapsing during a routine training session in Kaduna on Friday, throwing the football community into mourning.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of the day at a primary school pitch in the Ungwan Yelwa area, where the 40-year-old was said to be undergoing personal fitness training. According to accounts from local sources, Eneramo suddenly slumped during the session, prompting efforts to rush him to a nearby hospital. However, he was reportedly confirmed dead before arrival, with preliminary reports attributing the incident to a suspected heart attack, though no official medical report has yet been released.

Eneramo enjoyed a successful professional career spanning Nigeria, North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. He began his rise in Nigerian football with Lobi Stars before moving abroad, where he made his biggest mark with Espérance Sportive de Tunis. During his time in Tunisia, he won the Tunisian Ligue 1 title five times, finished as the league’s top scorer in two seasons, and also claimed the Tunisian Cup three times. He further distinguished himself as the top scorer in the 2009/2010 CAF Champions League.

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He later moved to Turkey, where he featured for Sivasspor, Beşiktaş, İstanbul Başakşehir, Karabükspor, and Manisaspor. Eneramo later returned for a second spell with Espérance before concluding his career at Türk Ocağı Limasol SK in Cyprus, retiring from professional football in 2018.

At the international level, he represented the Nigeria national football team, earning 11 caps and scoring three goals. He made a memorable debut during a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Tunisia national football team, scoring against the same country that had reportedly tried to persuade him to switch allegiance. Despite that interest, he remained committed to playing for Nigeria throughout his career.

Eneramo is remembered for his strength, work rate, and goal-scoring ability, particularly during his successful years in Tunisia. His sudden death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from fans, former teammates, and football stakeholders, many of whom have described him as a dedicated professional and a respected figure in Nigerian football.

The incident has also reignited discussions around health monitoring for retired athletes, especially concerning cardiovascular risks that may persist beyond active playing years. Experts continue to advocate for regular medical check-ups and improved emergency response systems during both training and recreational sports activities.

Further details, including funeral arrangements and official medical findings, are expected to be announced by his family and relevant authorities in due course.

Ex-Super Eagles Striker Dies After Collapsing During Training