x

Southampton At Wolverhampton Wanderers The FA Cup Verdict

Saints put in a great performance at Molyneux to not only end their losing streak, but earn a place in the quarter finals of the FA Cup and a trip across the New Forest to Bournemouth.

Ralph Hasenhuttl put out pretty much the side that everyone expected him to, with the only real surprise being Stuart Armstrong in the starting line up and Ce Adams dropping to the bench, meaning that Nathan Redmond played alongside Danny Ings up front.

In hindsight Saints played it just right, they rarely let the home side get on top or gave them a sight of goal and going forward we looked sharp, although our finishing was letting us down a little.

We dominated possession and had 18 attempts on goal compared to Wolves 5 and whilst we had almost half of those on target with 8, the home side only registered a single effort that produced a great save from Fraser Forster.

The winning goal as such came on 49 minutes a great ball from Stuart Armstrong played Ings through and he saw his shot hit the keeper, but then his luck changed the ball rebounded off him and into the net the linesman gave offside, but Var showed Ings to be onside.

It could be said that Wolves put out a weakened side, but by the 63rd minute they had brought on 3 of their benched players and with 20 minutes to go they added a fourth.

But it was too little too late as Saints stuck to their task and allowed them that solitary strike on target.

Truth is we looked like the old Saints again, the usual suspects put in their usual solid performances and the stand ins and newby did the job.

In goal Fraser Forster looked the part, he made a decent save and looked solid throughout, coming off his line on several occasions to clear dangerous situation, in truth he deserves to keep his place for the League game on Sunday.

In front of him Mohammed Salisu looked the part, although understandably he had to find the pace of the game, however as it went on he grew into it and seemed to read the game well and made several good blocks and interceptions, late on he tired a little and got a little sloppy, but that could be excused due to this being his first game since July.

Moussa Djenepo had a decent game on the left wing and up front Nathan Redmond was having no luck with his attempts on goal, but he put in a good display and his work rate made up for his lac of finishing.

For the last 10 minutes you thought that Wolves might get back into it, but Saints didn't let them, they dug in and won the ball, drew fouls and held it.

Special mention for Nathan Tella a surprise choice as a late sub, but he harassed the keeper into an error kept his cool and laid the ball back for Armstrong, who had plenty to do, but took his chance well to make it 2-0 as the clock hit 90.

Saints had a penalty decision overruled by VAR but they didn't care they preferred the free kick in the corner as they could run down the clock.

Hopefully this win will restore morale and confidence, especially for Danny Ings who couldn't buy a goal for the past month, he needed one to just go in and tonight it did.

The quarter final draw pits us against Bournemouth and gives us a great chance at making the semi finals, we should not count our chickens, but we start as favourites and with players returning from injury it is a great opportunity to get to Wembley.

What to read next:

Southampton 0 - 1 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Saints V Stoke City A Look Back In Pictures 2
In the second part of our pictorial look back at some of our games against Stoke City from the past, here we look back at more recent games, so most of you would have been at them.
Saints V Stoke City A Look Back In Pictures
We have looked through our photo archives for a look back as some games against Stoke City over the years, what are your memories of these games ?
Southampton V Stoke City The Preview
Saints go into the last two games of the season with their hopes of automatic promotion ended, even the hope of finishing 3rd is only a point away from being ended, but they do have something to play for and that is getting back the togetherness, character & fight Russell Martin has recently be moaned.
No Togetherness No Character No Fight
Not my words, but those of Southampton manager Russell Martin, who should ask himself the question why two months ago we had all those attributes and now we don't !
Southampton At Leicester The Debacle
The big question is how can a side that was so tight at the back, so clinical up front and who could pass the ball around almost with their eyes closed, become the disorganised rabble that they were at the Leicester City this evening.
Southampton Side Announced For Leicester Game
Russell Martin has revealed his side for the game against Leicester City, find out what surprises he has for Saints supporters this time out.
Southampton At Leicester City The Preview
Saints travel up to Leicester knowing that it is almost certain that they will just be in the play offs come the end of the season, however there is still the feint hope of 3rd place to play for, however the Foxes are playing for a bigger prize.
A Rough Guide To Leicester City FC
Saints head up to Leicester City this evening with their automatic promotion hopes just about over, so for the 3,000 fans who bought their tickets when there was hope here are the details.
Southampton At Cardiff City The Verdict
There can be no excuses for this defeat, a loss that effectively means that it will be a play off spot and not an automatic promotion place for Southampton, so where did it all go wrong.