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Wigan Athletic 0-2 Southampton (FA Cup): Player ratings

By Erik Franzo

WIGAN, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Cedric Soares of Southampton (L) celebrates as he scores their second goal with Dusan Tadic during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
WIGAN, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Cedric Soares of Southampton (L) celebrates as he scores their second goal with Dusan Tadic during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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WIGAN, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Cedric Soares of Southampton (L) celebrates as he scores their second goal with Dusan Tadic during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
WIGAN, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Cedric Soares of Southampton (L) celebrates as he scores their second goal with Dusan Tadic during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Mark Hughes’ first game in charge for Southampton was a memorable one following a 2-0 FA Cup win at Wigan.

The Saints found the first half to be very difficult, with the home side controlling possession and winning eight corner kicks in the process.  Few chances were created by Southampton, who featured a two striker attack that fans had been clamoring for.

The windy and cold weather, and a less than Premier League quality pitch impacted the game from start to finish.  Primarily on the 21 total corner kicks, which created a few tense moments.

Manolo Gabbiadini was gifted a chance to score in the 58th minute, when a faulty back pass left him alone with the keeper.  The Italian had come from an offside position and was almost in shock the opportunity arose, allowing Wigan’s keeper Walton to make a key save.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored his first ever Southampton goal, from a Dusan Tadic out-swinging corner kick to take the lead.  Only a few minutes later, Manolo Gabbiadini won a penalty, but then missed it, adding to his frustration.

It would take a Cedric Soares counter attack in extra time to seal the game and a trip to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final.  A much needed reprieve from the Pellegrino tenure that already seems like a distant past.

Here are the player ratings from the match: