Long takes Saints to final
Liverpool, Jan. 26: Southampton reached the League Cup final for the first time since 1979 as Shane Long grabbed the goal that sealed a memorable 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the semifinal second leg on Wednesday.
Leading by Nathan Redmond’s goal from the first leg two weeks ago, Claude Puel’s side showed great resolve to survive a barrage of second-half pressure at Anfield before securing their 2-0 aggregate triumph when Long struck late on. The visitors spurned three good chances to extend their aggregate lead in the first half, but were grateful Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge missed two excellent opportunities after the interval.
Saints will face Manchester United or Hull at Wembley on February 26 as they bid to win the competition for the first time. United are their likely opponents as they hold a 2-0 lead heading into the second leg at Hull on Thursday.
In the first half, Liverpool laboured as Southampton defended solidly and even when chances came the hosts couldn’t convert them.
They almost found it on the half-hour mark, as Redmond’s burst down the left ended with a cross that was only half-cleared towards the advancing Steven Davis, whose shot would have nestled in the corner of the net but for James Milner’s fine block.
Yet all of Southampton’s solid first-half work was almost undone eight minutes after the interval, when Forster misfielded Emre Can’s long-range effort in the wind, and scrambled back just in time to flap the ball away as it bounced towards the goal.
The home fans were convinced their team should have had a penalty with seven minutes left, but Long survived a loud appeal for handball as he helped defend a corner.
Long then popped up at the other end in stoppagetime to thump in fellow substitute Josh Sims’ pass and secure Southampton’s place at Wembley.