Moussa Djenepo scored a screamer to help Southampton produce one of the shocking football results of the weekend in the Carabao Cup. Saints played with a vigor and vitality that belied their position as the bottom team in the Premier League, and Sekou Mara’s excellent finish after City carelessly wasted possession helped the Saints advance. Moussa Djenepo scored a fantastic second goal with a 30-yard lob that fooled goalkeeper Stefan Ortega as Jones’ men continued to press Pep Guardiola’s underwhelming team all over the field. The expected siege on the Southampton goal never materialized as City failed to even register a shot on target in the game. Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, who both started on the bench, played the entirety of City’s game.
Because Southampton finished the game so easily, the home supporters could even afford to break out the “ole’s” in the last minutes. This was the first time a Guardiola team has lost a domestic quarterfinal match after winning the previous 15, including the last nine matches since acquiring the City manager post.
Jones’ team didn’t back down and played extremely directly and forcefully to pin City’s defenders back early on. The initial goal was the result of the press that established the tone. Lyanco capitalized on some bad passing by Kalvin Phillips, who was making his City debut, and Sergio Gomez. A low cross was supplied by the sprinting Brazilian defender, and Mara powerfully swept it past Ortega to score the team’s first goal. The unexpected goal temporarily quieted City’s sold-out away end, but only five minutes later, when Djenepo skillfully doubled the lead, did they have significant cause for fear.
The winger displayed exceptional insight to catch Ortega off his line and even more, skill to complete the job, looping a magnificent attempt over the stranded goalkeeper to send Saints supporters into a trance. In response, Guardiola substituted De Bruyne, Nathan Ake, and Manuel Akanji for the first half’s Kyle Walker after it failed to work as a temporary center-back. De Bruyne almost had an instant effect, but Julian Alvarez missed wide after his through ball split the Saints’ defense.
Haaland then took over for Grealish, who had been quiet on the left flank, but City was unable to find their star striker with the ball. In the 73rd minute, he had his greatest opportunity, but Southampton continued to pose a threat up the other end, and replacement Che Adams had an attempt disallowed for offside. For Jones, who has answered his detractors with back-to-back triumphs, it was a night to remember.
Four-time champions The Carabao Cup semifinal matchup between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United will be played between Southampton and Newcastle as compensation for Southampton’s victory against Manchester City. Having won the competition four times, Forest is in the final four. As they get ready to play Manchester United in the two-leg matchup, a trip back to Wembley appears to be a distinct possibility. Southampton will play Newcastle in the other semifinal, with the first leg taking place at St. Mary’s.
“It’s incredible. You fantasize of scoring in front of the Gallowgate when you’re a kid sitting in that East Stand,” Dan Burn said. “Also seated in that nook is my entire family. In the end, I simply ran out of room and had to knee-slide. It was incredible. Just being able to watch television makes me joyful. I’m overjoyed to break that duck because I had just missed a sitter before that. I’m glad I did that and no one can ever take that away from me because the guys often make fun of me in practise for not scoring.”
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