By Southampton Edge Past Stoke in Thrilling 3-2 Victory to Reach Carabao Cup Quarterfinals
In a nail-biting Carabao Cup clash, Southampton narrowly avoided an upset as they defeated Championship side Stoke City 3-2, securing their place in the tournament’s quarterfinals. Goals from Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Adam Armstrong gave Southampton an early two-goal advantage, but Stoke battled back with strikes from Ashley Phillips and Tom Cannon, threatening to force a shoot-out.
The deciding goal came in the 88th minute, with James Bree delivering a powerful shot from distance to restore Southampton’s lead and prevent what could have been a morale-crushing defeat for the Premier League’s struggling side. Earlier, a critical goal-line clearance by Yukinari Sugawara had kept Southampton level, thwarting Stoke’s late push for an equalizer.
Southampton’s head coach, Russell Martin, watching from the stands due to a touchline ban, made several adjustments to his lineup, citing the importance of this cup game amid their tough league season. Stoke, meanwhile, introduced young talent with hopes of capitalizing on Southampton’s vulnerabilities but ultimately fell short despite a spirited comeback.
After the match, Martin emphasized the importance of celebrating each victory, saying, “We’re in the quarterfinals of a cup—every win matters.” Stoke manager Narcis Pelach praised his squad’s resilience and near-success, expressing pride in their organization and effort.
The victory marks a bright spot for Southampton amid a challenging season, as they now look ahead to the Carabao Cup quarterfinals with renewed determination.
