“What a goal!” – Jeremy Doku raves about Nico Gonzalez after world-class FA Cup semi-final strike | OneFootball

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku was full of praise for Nico Gonzalez after the midfielder netted an outrageous winner in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final win over Southampton.

Doku and Gonzalez struck within five minutes of the last 10 minutes at Wembley to spare Manchester City‘s blushes after Southampton took a shock yet deserved lead courtesy of Finn Azaz after 79 minutes.

While Doku’s effort went in off a deflection following a corner situation, Gonzalez’s hit was as clean as they come as the 24-year-old struck from distance to score one of Wembley’s best-ever goals to send Manchester City to a fourth successive FA Cup final.

City have won six games on the bounce in all competitions as they dream of a domestic treble to give departing captain Bernardo Silva a fitting send-off, having lifted the Carabao Cup trophy at Wembley in March and reduced Arsenal‘s hefty lead at the top of the Premier League.

Doku: What a game, I’m so happy!

In conversation with TNT Sports after the comeback semi-final triumph, Doku said: “What a game! Honestly, I have to rest a bit now. The last 15, 20 minutes were unbelievable.

“We were pushing hard and as soon as they scored, we were like, ‘Wow, okay. We have to score!’. We scored a first, then a second – a third final in three years for me, I’m so happy. Glory to Jesus, honestly. I’m grateful to be able to play in stadiums like this.”

Southampton gave Manchester City a real run for their money and had they held onto their slender advantage, the Saints would have deserved a win judging by the shift they put in from start to finish.

“It’s a good team, honestly,” Doku added on the Premier League promotion hopefuls. “I’m not surprised they are 19 games unbeaten, I’m not surprised that they’re going to be promoted to the Premier League. They played a very good game!”

I’ll have to tell Nico to shoot more, says Doku

Gonzalez has received huge plaudits for his moment of magic that made all the difference for Manchester City towards the end of Pep Guardiola’s 23rd visit to Wembley during his tenure at the Etihad Stadium.

“What a goal! I’m surprised,” Doku said on Gonzalez. “I’ll tell him he has to shoot more now! Honestly, what a goal, and what a moment as well.”

Doku will be delighted to get on the scoresheet once again for City, having come under criticism over the years for a lack of end product and in particular, goals, in what has become a stats-driven game of football.

“Everybody tells me this (shooting more), I need to be more selfish,” the Belgium international added in a post-match interview with BBC Match of the Day.

“My first reaction when I dribble is ‘Who is free?’ instead of ‘Where is the goal?’. Like when I passed to Savio (Savinho in the second-half against Southampton), maybe I should’ve shot. I have to be more selfish in those moments.”

On Southampton, Doku said: “I watched their game against Arsenal and I felt like they deserved to win,” and on whether the domestic treble is on for Manchester City, the 23-year-old added: “Of course!”

Guardiola has given his players three days off after a successful trip down south as the Blues rest and recuperate ahead of a tricky Premier League test against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.