Premier League bottom-placed side Southampton reached the EFL Cup semi-finals with a richly deserved win over favourites Manchester City.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola rested key players such as Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne with this weekend’s derby with Manchester United at Old Trafford in mind, but nothing must detract from a vibrant Southampton display.
The game was settled in the first half by Sekou Mara’s crisp finish after 23 minutes and a superb second from Moussa Djenepo five minutes later when he caught City keeper Stefan Ortega badly out of position off his line with a lofted long-range finish.
Guardiola threw on De Bruyne and Haaland after the break but it was to no avail as Southampton defended their lead with fierce determination to reach the last four.
6′ Gundogan’s shot wide out
23′ GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Man City (Sékou Mara)
28′ GOAL! Southampton 2-0 Man City (Djenepo)
47′ Alvarez’s shot wide out
68′ Haaland’s shot over the bar
77′ OFFSIDE! Southampton’s goal disallowed
