Southampton 1-0 Liverpool EFL Cup Match Result and Highlight

⚽ Saint take narrow EFL Cup lead over Liverpool

Nathan Redmond had not netted in 16 games for Southampton before opening the scoring

It was a great day for Southampton, when Nathan Redmond's cool finish from Jay Rodriguez's pass gave Saints a crucial lead to take to Anfield on 25 January - but Southampton can count themselves unlucky not to be in complete control of this battle for a place at Wembley.

Liverpool's most criticised goalkeeper Loris Karius was one of not very many in Jurgen Klopp's side to separate himself in the midst of a shocking performance, making two fine first-half saves from goalscorer Redmond.

Karius did what he could do for the Reds, but unfortunately for him and Liverpool, Redmond kept on attacking causing problems for Liverpool.

After a brief early spell of Liverpool weight, when Roberto Firmino tried Fraser Forster, Southampton were totally untroubled all through a noteworthy performance.

They will be left, in any case, with a tinge of disappointment in spite of a fantastic, completely justified outcome that gives them genuine purpose behind positive thinking for the second leg at Anfield.

Match Highlight

Here are the goal scorers:

Redmond (20' minutes) - Southampton

Full time at St Mary's

A long way to go, but it's advantage #SaintsFC!

What did you make of that? 😇 https://t.co/jeSFtOq0Kb

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 11, 2017

 Redmond delighted with win over Liverpool 

"All the boys are delighted!"

Goalscorer @NathanRedmond22 on #SaintsFC's 1-0 win over #LFC in the #EFLCup: https://t.co/vaTR40rXg9

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 11, 2017

  Puel thrilled with win against Liverpool

The thoughts of #SaintsFC boss Claude Puel following his side's #EFLCup victory against #LFC... https://t.co/Nguhc7C8ib

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 11, 2017

Everton 3-0 Southampton Premier League Match Results and Highlights

⚽ Valencia scores first Everton goal in win over Saints

Enner Valencia (centre) made a key impact after coming on as a substitute

Everton boss Ronald Koeman enjoyed a win over former club Southampton thanks to goals from Enner Valencia, Leighton Baines and Romelu Lukaku.

The match had lacked quality and chances until substitute Valencia scored his first goal for the club, driving in a shot from close range after Lukaku's header had been saved.

EPL Table As It Stands

See The Full Premier League Table Here.

Match Highlights

Valencia was also involved in the second goal as he won a penalty when he was fouled by Maya Yoshida.

Baines stepped up to score calmly from the spot before Lukaku latched on to a Tom Davies pass and smashed a shot into the top corner.

Everton stay seventh, while ninth-placed Southampton lost a third Premier League game in succession.

Southampton 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Match Results and Highlights

⚽ Alli scores twice as Spurs beat 10-man Saints

Dele Alli scored his 15th goal in 50 league games for Tottenham

Dele Alli scored twice as Tottenham maintained their challenge for a Champions League spot with victory over 10-man Southampton.

Saints took the lead in the second minute when defender Virgil van Dijk demonstrated his aerial threat by nodding in James Ward-Prowse's free-kick.

The visitors were level just before midway in the half when Alli out-jumped Van Dijk to direct Moussa Sissoko's deflected cross past keeper Fraser Forster.

Shortly after the break, Harry Kane ended his run of three league games without a goal when he headed in from Christian Eriksen's corner in the 52nd minute.

And the England forward should have extended his side's advantage moments later when Southampton's Nathan Redmond brought down Alli in the area to concede a penalty and earn a red card. However Kane fired the spot-kick over the bar.

The sending off changed the complexion of the match as Spurs took advantage of the extra space, with both substitute Son Heung-Min and Alli firing in low strikes to put gloss on the win.

Spurs remain in fifth spot, but are now only a point behind fourth-place Arsenal.

EPL Table As It Stands

See The Full Premier League Table Here.

Match Highlights

Was it a red card?

There was confusion on social media as to whether Redmond's foul on Alli warranted a red card in the 57th minute.

The Saints midfielder pulled back his Spurs counterpart in the area which prompted referee Mike Dean to point to the spot. The official then, after a delay, sent the England Under-21 international off.

Under new rules, had Redmond tried to win the ball with a tackle he would have received just a caution. However, the pull meant it was both a penalty and red card offence.

Kane & Alli send message to rivals

Harry Kane stares at the loose turf after firing his second-half spot-kick over the bar

The England internationals scored 35 league goals between them last season as Spurs finished third - and they are on course to emulate that feat this campaign.

Alli led the way against what was the third meanest defence in the league coming into the match.

He brought Spurs back into the contest with a majestic leap above 6ft 4in Van Dijk to nod Sissoko's delivery past Forster. And showed composure to fire past the England keeper in the closing minutes.

Kane had the second fewest touches of all outfield players in the first half, but after the break the 23-year-old scored with his first effort on target when he headed in from Eriksen's set-piece in the 52nd minute.

He should have added his ninth league goal of the season soon after but his standing foot slipped as he fired over from the penalty spot.

After the match, Kane suggested a brand new square of turf on the penalty spot might have been the cause for his miss.

What's next?

Southampton are at home to West Brom on Saturday (15:00 GMT) and Tottenham are at Watford on New Year's Day (13:30 GMT).

Arsenal 0-2 Southampton EFL Cup Match Results & Highlights (Southampton see off poor Arsenal in EFL Cup)

Jordy Clasie scored his first goal for Southampton

Southampton progressed to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup for the first time since 1987 thanks to a convincing victory over a below-par and under-strength Arsenal.

Goals from Jordy Clasie - his first for the club - and Ryan Bertrand secured victory for a Southampton side which inflicted a first defeat on the Gunners since the opening day of the season.

Manager Arsene Wenger, who has never won this competition during his 20-year reign in north London, had made 10 changes to the Arsenal team which beat Bournemouth 3-1 in the Premier League on Sunday and paid the price.

In Aaron Ramsey, Alex Iwobi and Mohamed Elneny, the Gunners had Premier League regulars in their starting line-up - but without Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil, they lacked guile and bite.

Southampton, who had only won once in their last 23 visits to Arsenal, deserved the victory and will play Liverpool in the two-legged semi-finals,with the first leg at St Mary's in the week commencing 9 January.

Match Highlights

Arsenal's quarter-final woes continue

During his tenure as Arsenal manager, Wenger has regularly used this tournament to give games to those on the fringes of the first team. That perhaps explains why they have won only one of their last six quarter-finals in the competition.

Arsenal last progressed to the quarter-finals of the League Cup in the 2010-11 season with victory over Wigan

The majority of Wednesday's starting line-up had defeated Nottingham Forest and Reading this season, but Southampton were a different prospect - a Premier League side with a game plan and nous.

Arsenal's £17m summer signing Lucas Perez started for the first time since the 2-0 win over Reading on 25 October, but was a peripheral figure as he and his team-mates lacked energy and urgency, especially in the first half.

Before the match, Wenger had said he hoped the victory over Bournemouth, which came following three successive league draws, would make his team more relaxed.

But while the Gunners marginally improved after the break - the introduction of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain adding pace - they rarely threatened. A long-distance strike from Ramsey and a second-half chance, which fell to Oxlade-Chamberlain, was as good as it got for them.

Southampton celebrate famous win

Southampton had also made changes for this match, with only three of the starting XI which beat Everton in the league at the weekend starting at Emirates Stadium.

But the ever-present Virgil van Dijk provided a solid platform for the Saints in defence, and the changes in personnel did not affect the visitors who were by far the better team.

Clasie gave Southampton an early lead, leaving goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez with no chance as the Dutchman struck first time from long range in what was the match's first effort on target.

The Saints soon doubled their advantage, again from distance.

Carl Jenkinson lost possession in his own half and the visitors pounced, with Steven Davis and Sofiane Boufal combining to set up Bertrand for a first-time shot from the edge of the box.

Southampton could have scored a third, with Boufal and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg going close, but so comfortable were the visitors that they never seemed in need of another goal.

What the managers said

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "I regret that we lost the game. We had played well until now. If you look at the players who played well, some of those who did not play were on the edge.

"In midfield we had Coquelin, Ramsey, Elneny, Xhaka, Perez... Giroud was injured. We had Iwobi, one of the regular players in the first team.

"The problem wasn't there. We had players who are used to top-level competition. But we didn't have the right urgency.

"I'm disappointed. We had a disappointing performance, particularly in the first half."

Southampton boss Claude Puel: "It was a great performance because this game was a different profile. We were clinical in the first half, with two goals from two chances. I like this.

"After, in the second half, we had many chances to score another goal and make the game safe against a good team.

"It was a fantastic game to achieve that result: good solidarity, good attitude. I enjoyed what my players did."

What's next?

Southampton, 10th in the table, will attempt to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to three games when they face struggling Crystal Palace on Saturday - the same day that Arsenal travel to West Ham for what could be a tough London derby.

Southampton 0-0 Liverpool Match Highlights (Table-topping Reds held by stubborn Saints)

Jurgen Klopp may live to regret a catalogue of missed chances in the squalls of rain and obdurate Saints resistance.

Dropped points at St Mary's will not make or break Liverpool 's title charge, but artistic impression and high tempo alone will not bring the holy grail back to Anfield after 27 years.

Liverpool squandered a two-goal lead and lost the corresponding fixture last season, a defeat which effectively put the tin lid on their chances of a top-four finish – and a stark reversal of their six-goal romp in the League Cup at St Mary's.

In conditions which sometimes felt like the end of the world more than the end of autumn, chances were much harder to find this time in an orgy of gegenpress, as Jurgen Klopp would call it.

When ex-Saints striker Sadio Mane enjoyed a clear sight of goal after 28 minutes, England goalkeeper Fraser Forster denied his old team-mate with a flying save.

EPL Table As It Stands

See The Full Premier League Table Here.

MATCH HIGHLIGHT 

Georginio Wijnaldum's rocket on the stroke of the interval was not far away, but Philippe Countinho, sent clear by Brazilian sidekick Roberto Firmino, could only slice his shot wide under pressure from Jose Fonte when he looked odds-on to score.

From about the same range, Firmino then missed the best chance of the match as Liverpool cranked up the pressure, and Nathaniel Clyne went close when sub Daniel Sturridge stood up a cross towards the far post.

But they were unable to take liberties at the other end, Charlie Austin heading narrowly wide from Cedric's cross in a rare Saints excursion into Liver bird territory.

Southampton 0-2 Chelsea Match Highlight (Chelsea keep pace at top with win at Southampton)

Diego Costa's goal against Southampton was his ninth in his past 11 Premier League games

Chelsea kept pace with the leading pack in the Premier League as they moved into fourth place with an impressive win at Southampton.

The Blues took the lead when Eden Hazard capitalised on poor marking before cutting inside Steven Davis and powering a shot through the legs of keeper Fraser Forster.
EPL Table As It Stands

See The Full Premier League Table Here.

Southampton had plenty of the ball but could not find a way through a well-drilled Chelsea, who looked the more threatening and went close when strikes from Hazard and Diego Costa were saved.

Costa, however, beat Forster at full stretch with a wonderful curled effort from 22 yards.

Victory was Chelsea's fourth in a row in the league - a feat they last achieved in April 2015 - and put them one point behind Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Hazard getting back to his best

Eden Hazard was the 2014-15 Premier League player of the season during a campaign in which former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said the Belgian had outperformed Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Eden Hazard scored and assisted in the same Premier League game for the first time since April 2015 against Stoke

Hazard struggled to maintain those heights as he struggled last season - managing just four goals and rarely showing the pace and trickery that had made him such a threat.

This season is a different story. He has already scored five goals and looks like he has regained the confidence to tease and torment defenders.

He showed skill and power with his goal at St Mary's, scoring in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time, then provided the pass from which Costa added Chelsea's second.

Match Highlights

Italian feel about Chelsea

Chelsea were exposed defensively in consecutive league defeats by Liverpool and Arsenal this season but, since then, they have kept four clean sheets and scored 11 goals.

Manager Antonio Conte's move to a formation with three centre-backs is helping his side look more secure at the back and threatening in attack.

The Italian also appears to have implemented the sort of defending for which his country is famous, as an organised Chelsea denied Southampton's players any space in or around the penalty area and closed them down with aggression throughout.

"We've worked hard in training," said Chelsea defender Gary Cahill. "We've worked hard on the shape that the manager has brought and we are getting the rewards.

"It's OK having the shape but it's about having the mentality of the players to go out and dig in and do the business when you need to."

Southampton undone by Chelsea again

Southampton, whose most recent defeat at home in the league came against Chelsea in February, again had little answer to the Blues.

Saints had 55 shots on target this season before the game, but could muster only one on Sunday despite enjoying 55% of possession.

Their sole effort was Dusan Tadic's low effort, which was comfortably palmed wide by keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Southampton's chances were fleeting and, when they did come, striker Charlie Austin put one header wide and another high.

'It's the perfect game' - what they said

Southampton manager Claude Puel: "We played very well in the first half with so many possibilities and good play.

"But it's difficult to play against this team when you concede a goal after a few minutes. They can play their game with a strong defence and counter-attack.

"It was difficult to find solutions. It's a disappointment because we tried to play good football. We can do better."

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte: "We knew today was a test against a strong side in good shape and form. It's important to win games like this - people can increase their confidence and will to work and trust in the work.

"We created many chances. It's the perfect game when strikers score and defenders don't concede. The players deserved this; they work hard in training.

"When you see this type of game and commitment from your players, it's fantastic for a coach."

What's next?

Southampton are at home to Inter Milan for a 20:05 GMT kick-off on Thursday, 3 November before a league game at Hull City at 14:15 on Sunday, 6 November.

Manchester City 1-1 Southampton Highlights (Man City held by Saints after Stones error)

Kelechi Iheanacho has scored eight times in his past 11 Premier League games

Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League despite seeing their winless streak extend to a fifth game as Southampton earned a deserved draw.

The visitors led when John Stones' sloppy pass allowed Nathan Redmond to round Claudio Bravo and slot in.

City improved after being booed off by some home fans at the break, equalising when half-time substitute Kelechi Iheanacho prodded in Leroy Sane's low cross.

EPL Table As It Stands

See The Full Premier League Table Here.

Match Highlights

Pep Guardiola's side controlled the second half as they searched for a winner, but Saints keeper Fraser Forster produced splendid saves to deny Ilkay Gundogan and David Silva.

City's inability to grab a second goal means ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola has failed to win in five successive matches for only the second time in his managerial career.

However, the point was still enough to lift the Blues back above Arsenal and Liverpool to the Premier League summit.

Southampton stay eighth after extending their unbeaten league run to a fifth game.

City stutter... again

City's recent struggles are barely believable after the swaggering start they made to the season, when they won all of Guardiola's opening 10 matches.

The former Spain international had been forced to defend his tactics following Wednesday's 4-0 Champions League defeat at his former club Barcelona, which came after their first loss of the season at Tottenham and the subsequent home draw against Everton.

But there were signs of the home support becoming frustrated with his team's build-from-the-back approach, not least when many could be heard jeering their team off at the break after Stones' error.

Redmond scored in back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since August 2015

City lacked aggression and tempo in the opening 45 minutes, allowing an organised Southampton side to contain them and then burst forward on the break.

Guardiola had to act - and he did that decisively at the break.

Off came Kevin de Bruyne - City's stand-out performer this season - with young striker Iheanacho introduced in his place.

As a result, City had much more purpose and drive, typified by the desire showed by Iheanacho to beat Saints defender Virgil van Dijk to Sane's cross and prod in the equaliser.

What's next?

The not-so small matter of a Manchester derby for City. The Blues aim to end their winless run when they visit United in the EFL Cup fourth round on Wednesday (20:00 BST).

Southampton are also in midweek cup action, hosting top-flight rivals Sunderland on Wednesday (19:45 BST).

Arsenal 2-1 Southampton Highlights (Santi Cazorla late penalty earns three points for Arsenal) #AFCvSFC

Santi Cazorla's stoppage-time penalty gave Arsenal a dramatic victory over a determined Southampton side.

Saints took the lead when Petr Cech tipped a Dusan Tadic free-kick onto the underside of the bar but the ball bounced in off the Gunners keeper.

Laurent Koscielny equalised with a spectacular overhead kick after Cazorla's corner was not cleared.

The hosts toiled in attack but Cazorla won it for them after Jose Fonte was judged to have fouled Olivier Giroud.

The result was harsh on Southampton, who were well-organised at the back and dangerous when they broke forward.

EPL Table

Match Highlights

Saints remain winless under new manager Claude Puel, while Arsenal are five points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, who beat Manchester United earlier on Saturday.

How did Arsenal's new boys do?

Mustafi's touch map (left) shows how many times the centre-back was on the ball in the Southampton half, while Perez (right) was a largely peripheral figure with 31 touches. Of the Arsenal players to start the game, only Theo Walcott (27) touched the ball less.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gave debuts to both his recent signings, £35m centre-back Shkodran Mustafi and £17m forward Lucas Perez.

A World Cup winner with Germany, Mustafi instantly looked comfortable in his new surroundings, having more touches (94) and playing more passes (86) than anyone else on the pitch, frequently stepping up into the Saints half when he was on the ball.

But Spaniard Perez had a much quieter debut, failing to have a shot of any kind in the first half. His only effort at goal after the break was blocked and he was taken off after 63 mostly ineffective minutes.

Wenger threw on Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and, eventually, Alex Iwobu too, but his side continued to struggle in front of goal until Fonte tangled with France striker Giroud and referee Robert Madley pointed to the spot.

Saints unlucky to leave empty-handed

Southampton are in the bottom three after failing to win any of their first four games of the season, but they were unfortunate not to pick up at least a point in north London.

Shane Long was left on the bench until half-time but had three good chances in the second half.

Long wasted his best chance when he fired well wide after Tadic's superb flick had left him with only Cech to beat.

The Republic of Ireland striker also headed over the bar when unmarked from a free-kick and did not get enough on his follow-up shot after Cech had parried a Pierre Hojberg strike.

What next?

Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign on Tuesday (19:45 BST kick-off), with a trip to play French champions Paris St-Germain, before another away game, at Hull, in the Premier League next Saturday (15:00 BST).

Southampton are also on European duty, at home to Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday (20:05 BST), before they host Swansea on Sunday (14:15 BST).

Ibrahimovic scores twice as Man Utd beat Sothampton

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored three times in two Premier League games for Manchester United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice on his home debut as Manchester United claimed a comfortable Premier League win over Southampton at Old Trafford.

The Swedish striker headed home Wayne Rooney's cross from the right.

He scored from the penalty spot after Jordy Clasie tripped Luke Shaw, his third goal in two league games since joining on a free transfer this summer.

Paul Pogba, United's £89m world-record signing from Juventus, made an energetic full league debut.

The victory was United's second in succession in the league this season after their opening-day win at Bournemouth.

Zlatan makes his presence felt

Ibrahimovic's force of personality could be every bit as much of an asset as his ability to United this season.

The 34-year-old, signed on a free transfer after leaving Paris St-Germain at the end of last season, marked his home debut with a confident display that brought warm appreciation from the home supporters.

Having scored in the Community Shield win over Leicester City and United's Premier League weekend victory at Bournemouth, Ibrahimovic went into the match in fine form.

The Swede's movement was significant in a United attack that looks far livelier than it did under the management of Louis van Gaal last season.

Watch Highlights Below

Intriguingly, Ibrahimovic appears to have bumped captain Wayne Rooney from penalty duties. He was quick to take on the responsibility when United were awarded a spot-kick; his finish was his 25th successful conversion from his last 28 attempts.

Pogba eases his way in

Pogba's return to Old Trafford, four years after he left for Juventus without having made a Premier League start, has been eagerly awaited by United fans this summer.

His second debut for the club was delayed because of a suspension held over from his time in Italy but, with that served, manager Jose Mourinho tried to warn supporters against expecting too much too soon.

The midfielder is still getting back to full speed, having been given a break after helping France reach the Euro 2016 final - and that showed in his performance.

However, there was plenty of evidence to suggest that Mourinho was right to spend so much money to bring Pogba back to Old Trafford. His display was a positive one, with more touches and more passes in the opposing half than any team-mate.

One surging run towards the end of the first half left four Southampton players in his wake, and demonstrated his power, while a second-half header from a Juan Mata corner flew just over the bar.

He did fade as the match reached its later stages - undoubtedly a result of the fact that he has not had a proper pre-season - but the Frenchman summoned up enough energy to blast a shot wide at the end of a late counter-attack.

A goal would have rounded off Pogba's night perfectly, but he was happy enough. For him, victory was the perfect way to celebrate the 26th birthday of his brother, Partick Thistle striker Mathias Pogba.

Southampton's Old Trafford run ends

Another summer has brought yet another squad overhaul at Southampton, with Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle and Victor Wanyama all leaving the club, along with manager Ronald Koeman.

Claude Puel, Koeman's replacement, is still finding his feet in the Premier League, and the same could be said of the reshaped squad he leads.

The visitors had their moments at Old Trafford, with Shane Long going close and Dusan Tadic seeing a goal ruled out for a push moments before Ibrahimovic's decisive second.

Losing midfielder Oriol Romeu to an early injury did not help them, but having won 1-0 on each of their last two visits to Old Trafford, they rarely looked likely to extend that run.

Man of the match - Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Man Utd)

Ibrahimovic was the star of Ligue 1 last season, scoring 50 goals in all competitions last season as Paris St-Germain completed a domestic clean sweep.

His self-confidence has never been in question, but there were doubts as to whether he could be prolific in the Premier League at the age of 34.

However, his fine start at Old Trafford has given United fans plenty of reason for cheer.

What's next?

Manchester United have a Saturday trip to Hull City on 27 August, with Southampton at home to Sunderland on the same day.