James Bree’s 88th-Minute Goal Secures Southampton’s Spot in Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals After Thrilling 3-2 Win Over Stoke City
Southampton booked their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night, overcoming Championship side Stoke City 3-2 in a nail-biter that saw James Bree score the decisive goal in the dying minutes. Bree’s low strike from the edge of the box brought a dramatic close to a match that had swung back and forth, as Stoke mounted a spirited comeback after Southampton initially went two goals up in the first half.
The win is a significant boost for Russell Martin’s side, marking their first victory in open play since the previous round. Despite their dominance, holding an impressive 77% of possession, the Saints struggled to pull away and nearly paid the price as Stoke came close to forcing a penalty shootout late in the game.
Southampton’s Strong Start and Stoke’s Resilient Response
Southampton came out determined, and their early momentum paid off with two quick goals. Taylor Harwood-Bellis put the Saints in front in the 14th minute, rising above Stoke’s defenders to head home a pinpoint corner from Matheus Fernandes. Southampton continued to press, and in the 34th minute, Adam Armstrong doubled the lead with a well-taken penalty after Jaden Dixon’s clumsy tackle on Yukinari Sugawara inside the box.
Stoke responded just before halftime, giving themselves a lifeline. Left-back Eric Bocat’s free-kick deflected off Sugawara and found its way to Ashley Phillips, who deftly flicked the ball into the net with an inventive backheel. Phillips’ goal was his first at the senior level, and it set the stage for an intense second half as Stoke regained their confidence.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the game, Saints boss Russell Martin expressed mixed emotions: “We dominated the first half and should’ve been 2-0 up heading into the break. By the time I got down to the sidelines, it was 2-1, and I was definitely frustrated.”
Stoke’s Second-Half Comeback Keeps Saints on Edge
The second half began with Stoke determined to pull level, and it didn’t take long for them to find an equalizer. In the 54th minute, a cross from Junior Tchamadeu took a fortunate deflection, landing at Tom Cannon’s feet at the far post. Cannon took the chance without hesitation, sending a powerful strike into the top corner to make it 2-2, reigniting Stoke’s hopes.
With the game hanging in the balance, both sides created chances to snatch the lead. Stoke came closest as substitute Million Manhoef nearly bundled the ball across the line, but a sliding interception from Sugawara kept the score level. Minutes later, Southampton found their hero in Bree, who seized his moment to send the Saints through.
- Notable Second-Half Moments:
- Cannon’s equalizing goal for Stoke showcased their resilience and tactical adjustments.
- Sugawara’s defensive stop on the goal line kept Southampton’s hopes alive.
- Bree’s late winner brought relief to a Southampton side struggling to maintain control in the final minutes.
Bree’s Late Heroics and a Long-Awaited Win for Southampton
James Bree’s late strike was a moment of relief and celebration for Southampton. After a tense final 15 minutes, the 25-year-old full-back latched onto a pass from Kamaldeen Sulemana, taking a confident touch before sending a low drive past Stoke’s keeper and into the bottom corner. It was a fitting end to a game that had seen the Saints dominate possession but fail to capitalize fully on their control.
This win was especially significant for Russell Martin, who watched the match from the stands due to a touchline ban, having accumulated three yellow cards this season. From his vantage point, Martin witnessed both the highs and lows of his team’s performance—a strong start tempered by moments of defensive lapses and a lack of clinical finishing that nearly let Stoke back in.
Despite these concerns, Martin remained optimistic, noting, “We won, I’m happy with that. There’s still a lot to work on, but there were good performances tonight. We’re building, and that’s what matters.” Southampton now looks ahead to Wednesday’s draw, where they will discover their next opponents as they aim to continue their cup run.
Southampton Player Ratings: Bree Shines, Armstrong Struggles
While Southampton advanced, individual performances were varied. Bree emerged as the standout player, earning a 6.80 rating for his solid defending and, of course, the winning goal. Meanwhile, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who opened the scoring, put in another reliable performance with a 6.66 rating, contributing both defensively and offensively.
Adam Armstrong, however, didn’t quite hit his stride, earning a 5.87 rating despite converting the penalty. His overall impact was limited, with Stoke effectively nullifying his influence 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 |
| Junior Tchamadeu | 5.65 |
| Million Manhoef | 5.41 |
With the win secured, Southampton’s focus shifts back to the Championship, though their progression in the Carabao Cup offers a welcome distraction and a chance to gain momentum. This cup run could well be a turning point for the Saints, whose season has seen its share of ups and downs. Fans will be hopeful that Bree’s heroics can spark a positive run of form as they look ahead to their next challenge.
