Carabao Cup Round 3 Away Everton Drew 1 – 1 Won 6 – 5 on Penalties
As has become usual, both Everton and Saints made multiple changes for their Carabao Cup tie, which probably worked in Southampton’s favour as the Toffees left out their best men while our bloated squad is more homogeneous with players all of a more or less similar standard. The home team, though, did have a bit of pace going forward while some wicked deliveries from set pieces also caused problems. In fact the first goal came from a 20th minute corner that couldn’t be cleared properly and Doucouré was alert enough to guide his deflection header into the net from close range. Poor finishing and good work by Harwood-Bellis prevented a second as the main stand side line-o looked as though he would have benefited from VAR assistance. It was all square at the break, though, as Harwood-Bellis went forward to equalise with a powerful header from a corner. Lallana, who had been playing well, made way for Fernandes at the break and although Mateus was not at his best, Saints somehow looked more dangerous, maybe as a result of playing further forward. The reward for three of the team was to be hooked off in another mass substitution just after the hour, and that was particularly unfortunate for Fraser who was threatening a rare Southampton goal. In the end, the second half ended up pretty even with McCarthy saving well from Lindstrøm to preserve parity and ultimately take us to the drama of penalties. Saints went first and converted all of their spot kicks without a goalkeeper rejoicing in the name of Virginia getting near to any (no, Archer wasn’t playing). McCarthy didn’t lay a glove on any of Everton’s efforts either, but number five only went in off the post and then the affair was all over when number six, from Ashley Young, struck the same post and stayed out (Ed McCarthy did get a hand on it).
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
1. Alex McCarthy, although not for the penalty competition.
6. Taylor Harwood-Bellis with a goal, converted penalty and goal-saving tackling back.
14. James Bree. You probably had to be there to appreciate his cool head at the back.
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