Southampton advance to the third round with a thrilling win on penalties

After the recent 3-0 home defeat against Manchester United in the Premier League, the Saints prepared for the massive Carabao Cup third round match against Everton. Both sides are yet to take a point in the league and have faced four consecutive defeats, thus both Southampton and Everton wanted to take a win in this match to get a good momentum for the remainder of the season. While Southampton had scored only once in the Premier League, Everton were coming on the back of scoring four goals in the last two matches despite conceding thrice both times.

Therefore, Russell Martin's side had to organize their defence well alongside scoring their chances as they have been struggling in front of the goal. Southampton started the first half well as they did against the Red Devils, however, conceded the opening goal in twenty minutes as Abdoulaye Doucoure scored a header from the corner to give Everton the 1-0 lead. The Saints increased their efforts going forward and find the equaliser ten minutes later as Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who replaced captain Jack Stephens in this match, also scored a header from the Southampton free-kick.

Southampton advance to the third round with a thrilling win on penalties

The game was level at halftime and after that, Sean Dyche's Everton improved their build up play and passing to find spaces behind the Southampton defence a few times in the second half. Moreover midfielder Jesper Lindstrom who joined Everton from Napoli in this transfer window, had two brilliant chances to restore Everton's lead, however, goalkeeper Alex McCarthy made two brilliant saves to keep the score at 1-1.

In the second half, there weren't much big chances created and both sides defended well in the second half to take the game to the penalties. In the penalties both Southampton and Everton scored from their five attempts, after that James Bree scored for Southampton while Alex McCarthy saved Ashley Young's effort to help Russell Martin's side take a thrilling win and advance to the fourth round in the Carabao Cup.