Southampton manager Russell Martin hopes to carry a feelgood factor into the Premier League after his struggling side survived a scare to scrape into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
The top-flight’s bottom club blew a two-goal lead against Championship side Stoke before James Bree’s 88th-minute winner spared their blushes in a 3-2 success at St Mary’s.
Goals from Potters pair Ashley Phillips and Tom Cannon threatened to take the fourth-round tie to a penalty shoot-out following Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ header and Adam Armstrong’s spot-kick.
Martin, whose team have taken only one point from nine league fixtures this term, had to remind his players to smile at full-time after they narrowly avoided a new low in a miserable season so far.
“We need to celebrate every victory as a group, whether it’s against a Championship team in the cup, whether it’s a Premier League game, you have to enjoy those moments together,” said Martin, with one eye on Saturday’s home game against Everton.
“The guys were a bit annoyed coming in, they didn’t look very happy so I reminded them they’re allowed to smile.
“We won and got through and we’re in the quarter-final of a cup so I think it’s important.
“By the end they are smiling and the music was on. Hopefully we can carry that on on Saturday.”
Southampton were fortunate not to fall behind five minutes from time as only a goal-line clearance from Yukinari Sugawara stopped Stoke substitute Million Manhoef completing the turnaround.
Bree then ensured the hosts avoided embarrassment by rifling into the bottom left corner from around 25 yards.
“It’s been a while – it feels good,” Martin, who watched the match from the stands due to a touchline ban, said of the victory.
“It’s never easy in the cup. We got through, we made it tougher than it should have been for sure but we also showed a bit of character to get through a bit of adversity.
“Thankfully a moment of quality won it for us. Big credit to Stoke but I think we deserved to win.”
Stoke barely threatened before Tottenham loanee Phillips halved the deficit by backheeling home on the stroke of half-time to spark a major momentum shift.
Potters head coach Narcis Pelach, whose side sit 19th in the second tier, made nine alterations to his team and said his game plan almost paid off.
“I’m really pleased with the effort and personality the team put in – I did a lot of changes today, a lot of young players,” he said.
“All I asked was defensive organisation knowing that we are not going to have the ball (very often) but we always can fight, we always can be organised.
“The idea was to survive for one hour and then bring the starters into the game, hoping that we are going to have more chances in counter-attacks.
“It worked well – we were nearly there with this goal Manhoef nearly scored but they saved it on the line.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. EPL Week 12 Ipswich 1-1 Man Utd Southampton 2-3 Liverpool LOL OUCH Cristiano Ronaldo now has 500 more Goals than Henry When a taxi driver asked Messi to take photo of him with Mascherano... Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Leicester City open talks with Van Nistelrooy over head coach job🚨🗣️ #Leicester have approached Ruud #vanNistelrooy to explore the negotiation margins to replace Steve Cooper on their bench.📃 David #Moyes and other names are under evaluation, but #LCFC would like to convince the 🇳🇱 manager as a priority. 🐓⚽ #Transfers pic.twitter.com/xsz3TT9q7P— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) November 24, 2024H...
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe was happy scoring in their win at Leganes.Real won 3-0 on Sunday, with Mbappe opening the scoring on the night.He later told RMTV: "I started well, with rhythm with my teammates, in a different position. As I said the first day I arrived here, I can play in many different positions and I will play to give my best, it is the story of my career, I play on the right,...
Leicester City have confirmed they have sacked manager Steve Cooper. The 44-year-old took charge for the final time on. Saturday, with the Foxes beaten at home by Chelsea in the Premier League.He leaves with Leicester 16th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone after being promoted under Enzo Maresca last season.Steve Cooper after Leicester's 2-1 loss to Chelsea.In a released stat...
Ruben Amorim said Manchester United will have to "suffer for a long period" before his methods help the club enjoy success again after a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town denied the new head coach a debut win in his first game in charge.Marcus Rashford's opening goal after 81 seconds had given United a dream start at Portman Road, but Omari Hutchinson's equaliser sealed a point for Kieran McKenna's team an...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal 3-0 Nottm Forest Leicester 1-2 Chelsea Pray for City! Club football is back Harry Kane recreated the Bundesliga logo When you order Jack Grealish on Wish This Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
The France striker has been linked with Manchester United in recent days.And as he battles to work his way into Chelsea's starting XI this season, Nkunku is said to be considering his options.United and PSG have both been linked with the striker.But the Athletic says Chelsea have ruled out parting with Nkunku in January....
Diomande has been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City this season.Andersen coached the defender with Midtjylland U19s and told O Jogo: “I can understand that there is a lot of enthusiasm around Diomande and that big clubs are after him, because he has been very well. "They're crazy values, you've reached a point where you start to wonder if they belong there. I talk to...
Trivela says Real are considering a move for the Brazilian veteran in January.Real management recognise the retirement of Toni Kroos has left a massive void, which has led to discussions about bringing Casemiro back to the club.It's believed Casemiro would have a big impact on the pitch and in the dressing room at Real, which are struggling for consistency this season.The 32 year-old left Real for...
Arsenal and Liverpool to lock horns in January for ZubimendiReal Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has emerged as a prime target for Liverpool, but Arsenal are reportedly keen on rivalling the Merseyside club for his signature. According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are preparing a second bid for the standout player, with a January transfer seen as a strong possibility. They are determined to land Zu...
- 1 I am not a lunatic – Craig Bellamy glad to show different side in Wales dugout
- 2 Roy Keane’s daughter pictured with Taylor Harwood-Bellis for first time
- 3 Johnnie Jackson bemoans refereeing decisions after dramatic Dons draw
- 4 Ex-Prem ace asked Liverpool star for his sister's phone number
- 5 Liam Cullen leads Wales to Nations League promotion
- 6 Daily Laugh - Antony and his latest ManUtd session
- 7 Andy Robertson marks 80th Scotland cap with stoppage-time winner in Poland
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Harry Kane’s ‘fugly’ £7,200 statue branded ‘stuff of nightmares’ unveiled
- 10 Mascherano nears Miami; Martino exits