Southampton 2-1 Blackpool: Two goals from left-back Romain Perraud ensure Saints reach the FA Cup fifth round... as Mick McCarthy loses his first game as Seasiders boss on his return to the dugout after 15 months

Daily Mail | January 28, 2023

Southampton reached the FA Cup fifth round after beating Championship strugglers Blackpool 2-1.

Two goals from left-back Romain Perraud secured the win for Nathan Jones's side.

It was a plucky effort from the Seasiders, who had Mick McCarthy taking charge of his first game since becoming manager last week.

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Perraud netted his first by curling home a clinical free-kick from just outside the penalty area

Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino pulled one back for the Seasiders but Southampton held firm

Mick McCarthy was taking charge of his first Blackpool game after being appointed last week

MATCH FACTS

Southampton (4-2-3-1): Caballero; Maitland-Niles (Walker-Peters 74), Bella-Kotchap, Lyanco, Perraud; Lavia (Diallo 87), Aribo; Edozie (A Armstrong 86), Elyounoussi, Orsic (Walcott 63); Mara (Adams 86)

Subs not used : Salisu, Alcaraz, Bazunu, Ballard

Scorers: Perraud 22, 62

Bookings: Mara, Diallo

Manager: Nathan Jones

Blackpool (5-3-2): Maxwell; Lyons, Goode, Connolly, Husband (Thorniley 58), Hamilton; Patino (Dougall 73), Trybull (Rogers 80), Bowler (Carey 74); Poveda (Lavery 80), Yates

Subs not used: Madine, Thompson, Grimshaw, Apter

Scorers: Patino 67

Bookings: Hamilton, Dougall

Manager: Mick McCarthy

Ref: Craig Pawson

It was a hard-fought game at St Mary's with both teams struggling in their respective divisions

Southampton dominated large shares of the ball and against their Championship opponents

Southampton reserve goalkeeper, Willy Caballero, now 41, received a rare start at St Mary's

Saints boss Nathan Jones has won four cup games but just one league match since joining