- Southampton advance to Carabao Cup’s fifth round at St Mary’s Stadium
- Championship Stoke offer stiff resistance to but ultimately crumble
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Saints marched into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup with a nervy victory over Championship Stoke City to provide some much-needed respite to Russell Martin.
With St Mary’s still waiting for its first home win of the season, Martin went strong with his line-up and saw his side dominate possession and territory.
Saints were two up by 35 minutes with Taylor Harwood-Bellis heading in from Matheus Fernandes’ corner at the far post and Adam Armstrong sweeping home a penalty after Yukinari Sugawara had been brought down by Jade Dixon.
Stoke had barely crossed the halfway line but pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time when 19 year-old centre back Ashley Phillips back-heeled in from close range after Saints failed to clear Eric Bocat’s free-kick.
Nine minutes after half time, Stoke levelled when Junior Tchamadeu’s shot deflected into the path of Tom Canon and he smashed the loose ball into the roof of the net.
Two minutes from time, Saints full back James Bree finally brought victory to the long-suffering Saints fans with a 20 yard winner.
More to follow…
Stoke City’s Ashley Phillips played a central role in their EFL Cup fourth round tie with Saints
Stoke came from 2-0 down to level the scoring early in the match’s second half
Southampton beat Stoke City 2-1 in the EFL Cup fourth round on Tuesday night at St Mary’s
Saints’ Taylor Harwood-Bellis (inset) opened scoring versus Stoke City in the EFL fourth round
