Manchester City crashed out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday as Southampton grabbed an unexpected 2-0 win at St Mary’s.
Nathan Jones’ men were well worthy of their victory and gave City no time on the ball throughout the 90 minutes, while preventing the Premier League champions from having a shot on target all night. The victory means the Saints move on to the semi-final of the competition along with Manchester United, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
It was a disappointing start for City on the south coast, with Stefan Ortega Moreno being called into action after seven minutes when he got a fingertip to Lycano’s shot and managed to poke it for a corner, while Sekou Mara fired wide in the 21st minute.
But the Southampton striker fared better with his next opportunity and blasted an excellent effort into the back of City’s net after he connected perfectly with Lycano’s drilled cross at the edge of the area.
And soon after it was 2-0. Moussa Djenepo picked up the ball from deep, drove forward and from around 25 yards out scored with an excellent strike. The winger noticed Ortega Moreno pushing forward and hit a high looping shot that arced over the City keeper and landed in the back of the German’s net.
As for the visitors, in a lacklustre opening 45 they only produced half chances via Ilkay Gundogan’s shot which fizzed wide, while Cole Palmer and Jack Grealish had efforts inside the box blocked.
Pep Guardiola made three changes at the break and one of those, Kevin De Bruyne, set Julian Alvarez up for a chance within a minute, but he shanked it wide. Despite the alterations, Southampton continued to create chances, with Kyle Walker-Peters shooting wide and Che Adams scoring an offside goal that was correctly ruled out by the referee’s assistant.
As City pushed for a late breakthrough, Alvarez nearly bundled the ball over the line, but Gavin Bazunu kept it out, and he also held Rodri’s cross into the box which missed the head of Erling Haaland by mere inches.
It proved to be the last chance of note, as Southampton held on to secure a huge cup upset. Here’s how we rated the players...
It was a disappointing start for City on the south coast, with Stefan Ortega Moreno being called into action after seven minutes when he got a fingertip to Lycano’s shot and managed to poke it for a corner, while Sekou Mara fired wide in the 21st minute.
17. Southampton player ratings
Bazunu 8; Lycano 9, Caleta-Car 8, Salisu 7, Walker-Peters 9; Lavia 8 (Elyounoussi 8;62), Diallo 9; Djenepo 9 (Perraud 8;57), Ward-Prowse 9, A.Armstrong 9 (Orsic 82); Mara 7 (Adam 7;62)