Southampton 1-0 Watford: Three match takeaways

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Jack Stephens of Southampton celebrates after scoring his sides first goal with his team mates during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton and Watford at St Mary’s Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Southampton progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup after beating fellow Premier League strugglers Watford 1-0 at St. Mary’s.

Birthday-boy Jack Stephens’ first senior goal for Saints was enough to see the hosts progress to the fifth-round of the competition for the first time in four years.

Ryan Bertrand’s 4th minute free-kick caused the Watford defence plenty of problems as Wesley Hoedt got to the ball but his effort was saved by the Watford keeper, only for fellow center-back Jack Stephens to tap in his first senior goal for Southampton on his 24th birthday.

Saints had a number of chances that weren’t taken throughout the game; Pierre Hojbjerg’s 30-yard strike rattling the crossbar was the main highlight.

New record-signing Guido Carrillo played the last ten minutes but didn’t really have a lot to do as Saints defended deep and almost conceded in the last minute as Christian Kabasele’s near-post header was off target.

But what are the main talking points from the win?