Wigan Athletic 0-2 Southampton (FA Cup): Saints march into semi-finals
By Marc Walker
Southampton and Mark Hughes progressed to the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over a spirited Wigan side in what proved to be a thoroughly entertaining cup tie.
Second-half strikes from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Cedric Soares saw the Saints through to Wembley for a second straight season and potentially provided the required boost needed for the remainder of the campaign.
New Saints boss Hughes named a particularly attacking line-up with Manolo Gabbiadini starting in upfront alongside Guido Carrillo. The team used a 4-4-2 system with Mario Lemina and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg preferred to Oriol Romeu in central midfield.
The first test for either goalkeeper came through a Southampton set-piece after 10 minutes. Sofiane Boufal whipped in a delivery that Wigan keeper Cristian Walton failed to gather, but Guido Carrillo couldn’t get a firm connection on the follow-up.
Wigan had started the game in confident fashion though. Chey Dunkley’s deflected effort had Alex McCarthy scrambling across his goal, and former Portsmouth player Gary Roberts could only hook a close-range effort over.
Some nice Southampton play saw Mario Lemina have a sight of goal from 25 yards midway through the half, but his curling shot went well wide.
As the first-half ended, it was Wigan who had looked the more likely to score and a nervous looking Southampton side in desperate need of their new manager’s words at the break.
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In the second-half, it was immediately clear that the Saints had come out with more composure, and their spell of pressure during the first ten minutes produced a golden opportunity for Manolo Gabbiadini.
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A poor Wigan back-pass was seized upon by the Italian, but his shot was well smothered by home keeper Walton.
However, it didn’t take long for the away side to get the all important first goal. Dusan Tadic produced two dangerous corner deliveries in quick succession, and the second was met and steered in well by the boot of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who scored his first goal for the club.
Gabbiadini would then have another opportunity to put the result beyond doubt when Southampton were awarded a penalty.
The Italian picked himself up to take the kick after being brought down, and struck firmly towards the bottom right corner. However, Walton was equal to his strike and pulled off a brilliant save.
Despite being on top for the first period, Wigan had to be second best but still were a danger on the counter attack. Any attacks that the home side did have were well snuffed out by composed Saints defending.
Southampton’s progression to a Wembley semi-final was confirmed as Cedric raced through on goal late on and finished with the calmness of a seasoned striker for what was also his first goal for the club.
The draw for the semi-finals of the FA Cup will be made following this evenings quarter-final tie between Chelsea and Leicester City.