Southampton secured their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Stoke City. The Saints nearly let a two-goal lead slip but were saved by an 88th-minute winner from full-back James Bree. The thrilling match saw Stoke mount an impressive comeback, pushing Southampton to the very end before Bree’s late strike settled the contest and sent the home fans into a frenzy.
Saints Race to an Early Lead Before Stoke Respond
Southampton started the match with clear intent, dominating possession and putting immediate pressure on the Stoke City defense. Their early efforts were rewarded in the 14th minute when Taylor Harwood-Bellis rose highest to head in a corner from Matheus Fernandes, giving his side a well-deserved lead.
The home side continued to control the game, and their advantage was doubled in the 34th minute. Adam Armstrong confidently converted a penalty after Yukinari Sugawara was brought down inside the box by a clumsy challenge from Jaden Dixon.
Just as it seemed Southampton would cruise into halftime with a comfortable lead, Stoke found a way back into the match. A free-kick from Eric Bocat deflected off Sugawara and fell to Ashley Phillips, who scored his first senior goal with a clever backheel flick to make it 2-1.
Stoke’s Second-Half Comeback Sets Up a Tense Finale
Riding the momentum from their late first-half goal, Stoke City came out for the second half with renewed determination. Their positive approach paid off quickly when they found an equalizer in the 54th minute. A cross from Junior Tchamadeu took a lucky bounce, and the ball landed perfectly for Tom Cannon, who smashed his shot into the top corner to level the score at 2-2.
With the game now wide open, both teams pushed for a winner. The final half-hour was filled with key moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
- Stoke substitute Million Manhoef nearly put his side ahead, but his effort was cleared off the line by a crucial sliding block from Sugawara.
- Southampton, despite holding 77% possession throughout the game, struggled to create clear-cut chances against a resilient Stoke defense.
- The match seemed destined for a penalty shootout as the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark.
The equalizer completely changed the dynamic of the game, forcing Southampton to dig deep to avoid an early cup exit.
Bree’s Late Strike Seals the Win
Just when a penalty shootout seemed inevitable, James Bree emerged as Southampton’s hero. In the 88th minute, the 25-year-old defender received a pass from Kamaldeen Sulemana at the edge of the box. Bree took one touch to set himself before firing a powerful low shot past the Stoke goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
The goal sparked massive celebrations and relief around the stadium. The victory was particularly sweet for manager Russell Martin, who was forced to watch from the stands while serving a touchline ban. Despite the defensive lapses, Martin expressed his happiness with the result, stating, “We won, I’m happy with that. There’s still a lot to work on, but there were good performances tonight.”
Player Performances and What’s Next
While the team secured the win, the individual performances for Southampton were mixed. James Bree was the clear standout, not only for his winning goal but also for a solid defensive display. Taylor Harwood-Bellis also had a strong game, opening the scoring and looking composed at the back. However, Adam Armstrong, despite his penalty, struggled to make an impact in open play.
| Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| James Bree | 6.80 |
| Taylor Harwood-Bellis | 6.66 |
| Matheus Fernandes | 6.59 |
| Yukinari Sugawara | 6.33 |
| Adam Armstrong | 5.87 |
Southampton now awaits Wednesday’s draw to find out their opponent in the quarter-finals. The club will hope this exciting cup victory can provide a much-needed confidence boost and spark a positive run of form in their Championship campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the winning goal for Southampton?
James Bree scored the winning goal for Southampton in the 88th minute with a low strike from the edge of the box.
Why was Southampton’s manager not on the touchline?
Manager Russell Martin watched the match from the stands because he was serving a touchline ban after accumulating three yellow cards this season.
What was the final score of the Southampton vs Stoke City match?
The final score was 3-2 to Southampton. The goals for Southampton were scored by Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Adam Armstrong, and James Bree.
Who scored the goals for Stoke City?
Ashley Phillips scored Stoke’s first goal with a backheel just before halftime, and Tom Cannon scored the equalizer in the 54th minute.
When is the draw for the Carabao Cup quarter-finals?
Southampton will discover their next opponents in the quarter-final draw, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday.
