Match Report: Late Winner Sees Southampton Beat Stoke City to Reach Carabao Cup Quarter-Final | OneFootball

Thrilling Carabao Cup Encounter Sees Southampton Edge Stoke City

Late Heroics Seal Southampton’s Quarter-final Spot

In a gripping late-stage Carabao Cup match, Southampton secured a 3-2 victory over Stoke City, courtesy of James Bree’s dramatic late goal, ensuring their progression to the quarter-finals. This fixture not only highlighted the intense competitive nature of the tournament but also showcased individual moments of brilliance that swayed the game in the dying minutes.

First Half: Southampton Takes Control

The match started strongly for the Saints, who quickly established their dominance. Taylor Harwood-Bellis was the first to make the scoresheet, connecting with a powerful header from Matheus Fernandes’ corner to give Southampton the lead. Their control continued, and Adam Armstrong soon added a second from the penalty spot. The penalty was awarded after Jaden Dixon’s foul on Yukinari Sugawara, putting Southampton in a comfortable position.

However, Stoke City wasn’t ready to capitulate. Just before the half-time whistle, Eric Bocat’s free-kick caused havoc in the Southampton box, leading to Ashley Phillips scoring a clever backheel goal, his first in senior football. This goal narrowed the gap, setting the stage for a compelling second half.

Photo: IMAGO

Stoke’s Comeback and Southampton’s Response

Stoke returned from the break with renewed vigour, and their efforts paid off quickly. Tom Cannon levelled the scores with a stunning strike into the top corner, turning the match into a back-and-forth battle. Southampton looked to regain the lead, and Stoke had a golden chance to go ahead through substitute Million Manhoef, but Sugawara’s crucial defensive intervention kept the scores level.

As the match seemed destined for penalties, James Bree emerged as the hero for Southampton. In the 88th minute, he brilliantly placed a shot into the bottom corner after receiving a pass from Kamaldeen Sulemana, clinching the win for the Saints.

Managerial Perspectives and Future Aspirations

Despite not being on the touchline, Southampton’s manager, Russell Martin, expressed mixed feelings about his team’s performance. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Martin shared his frustration about the close scoreline despite the dominant display, “It should have been easier than what it was, we were so dominant in the first half and should have gone in 2-0 up so I’m a bit annoyed at that.”

His frustration was palpable as the game’s dynamics shifted during his move from the stands to the touchline, “By the time I left the stands we were 2-0 up and it was 2-1 by the time I got down so I was annoyed and frustrated.”

However, Martin was ultimately pleased with the outcome, “We won I’m happy, of course, we can improve and there is a lot to build on. We had a really good performance in a lot of parts tonight and we won.”

Looking Ahead in the Carabao Cup

This victory marks Southampton’s first win in any competition since their third-round triumph over Everton last month. As they await their next opponents in the forthcoming quarter-final draw, the Saints will be keen to build on this performance, aiming for a deep run in the tournament. Their ability to navigate through tight matches like these could be crucial in their Carabao Cup journey.

As the Carabao Cup continues to deliver enthralling matches, fans and teams alike eagerly anticipate the next rounds. For Southampton, this win could be a turning point in their season, providing a much-needed boost as they aim to capture silverware.