Batth sinks stumbling Saints
DANNY BATTH’S 67thminute header extended Wolves’ impressive start to the season and brought an abrupt end to Southampton’s hopes of repeating last season’s success in reaching Wembley.
Donovan Wilson added a second to put the result beyond doubt.
Beaten finalists in last season’s competition, Saints’ interest in this year’s competition disappeared when Wolves skipper Batth
SOUTHAMPTON WOLVES
rose to corner.
Wolves – currently standing third in the Championship – have now won five of their six games in all competitions this season under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
And Saints could have few complaints about the outcome after Wilson, put through in the 87th minute by head home a substitute Michal Zyro’s break, shot home.
Nuno had changed his entire weekend starting line-up for the trip to St Mary’s but the Championship side still managed to shake up their Premier League opponents in the opening 10 minutes when striker Nouha Dicko had a hat-trick of opportunities to give the visitors the lead.
Dicko lacked the composure to make the early pressure tell but Southampton had been handed a clear warning of Wolves’ threat.
Having weathered the early pressure, it was the home side who began to dominate. Wolves keeper Will Norris played a major role in preventing Southampton from establishing a half-time lead, in particular when he saved well from Jan Bednarek’s strong header.
But Wolves turned on the style in the second period and Saints were left embarrassed.