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Pep Guardiola has explained what ‘made the difference’ for Manchester City after they beat Southampton 4-1 in the FA Cup quarter-final.

City booked their place in the last four of the competition to keep the treble a possibility. But it was not a simple victory at St Mary’s.

Southampton caused the Citizens plenty of problems in the first half, just like they had done in the two Premier League meetings between the sides earlier this season.

Raheem Sterling gave City the lead in the 12th minute following a mistake from Jack Stephens. But they were pegged back by a Aymeric Laporte own goal right on the stroke of half time.

In the second half, Gabriel Jesus drew a foul from Mohammed Salisu in the penalty area, giving Kevin de Bruyne the chance to net from the spot. He beat Fraser Forster, although the keeper went the right way.

Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez both came off the bench to score, as City took the game away from Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side in the last 15 minutes.

During a post-match interview with BBC Sport, Guardiola revealed City’s attacking prowess had ‘made the difference’.

Pep Guardiola praises City attackers

“We started well for the first 20 to 25 minutes, but for the last 15 of the first half we forgot to play,” Guardiola said. “We knew that this would be difficult because Southampton is one of the best, most organised teams we face all season.

“They push you with incredible intensity but the goal we conceded was a consequence of us forgetting to play.

“The second half was much better, in personality and play. They had one chance for Che Adams, at 2-1, but the quality of our players up front made the difference.

“It was not a comfortable victory but now we go into the international break, there are two months left in the season and we are in three competitions – semi-final of the FA Cup, quarter-final of the Champions League and top of the league. We know every game is a final and we knew it was important not to lose today.”

City were not at their best – de Bruyne

Goalscorer de Bruyne added: “I think the first 20 minutes and the last half an hour we did well. In between we made too many stupid mistakes and even with their goal, we should have just played it out – there were 30 seconds to go until half-time.

“We chose the wrong options and Southampton came back into the game. Not a lot was said at half-time but we had to play better and we did that.

“But I think the reaction was really good – the second half, we dominated and we did much better.

“We didn’t play at our best but after the second goal we did much better – the third and fourth goals were beautiful goals and we saw then how good we can play.

“We want to win every competition we enter, we have lost in a couple of FA Cup semi-finals but we are very happy and privileged we go again and hopefully we can win it this time.”

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