(Credit: Imago)

Ciaran Morrison

Tue 12 August 2025 21:48, UK

Southampton progressed to the next round of the League Cup thanks to a moment of quality from star Mateus Fernandes.

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It was a hard fought victory for Saints at League One Northampton who had chances in the first half to shock their Championship opponents and take the lead.

Will Still though got a higher performance level out of his side in the second half, which saw them control proceedings and, in the end, comfortably progress.

(Credit Imago)

Alex McCarthy – 6

Made a couple of smart stops as Northampton pressed for the opening goal in the first half before reverting to a spectator in the second period.

One error of judgement when he had to be saved by Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Ryan Manning – 7

Effective helping Southampton build their attacks and create chances getting up and down the left flank well at full-back.

Nathan Wood – 7

A solid evening for Wood who commanded the penalty area and showed his quality against inferior opposition.

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Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Charlie Taylor 63?) – 6

Made a vital clearance off the line to deny Northampton a shock lead in the first half.

A moment of quality.

Shea Charles (Off for Flynn Downes 63?) – 7

Tenacious and kept Southampton ticking in the middle of the park.

Cameron Archer – 8

Grabbed the assist with a perfectly weighted pass into Fernandes to score to go alongside an excellent all-round performance.

Damion Downs (Off for Kuryu Matsuki 63?) – 6

Slipped at the crucial moment when he looked certain to score from just a few yards out.

Played a key part in the build-up to the goal.

Ben Brereton Diaz (Off for Adam Armstrong 81?) – 6

Came into the starting line-up late to replace Ross Stewart and looked lively on occasions driving at the Northampton defence, but couldn’t make any major impact.

Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images

Substitutes

Kuryu Matsuki (On for Damion Downs 63?) – 6

Tenacious but made little impression in the spell he had on the pitch to impress Still.

Charlie Taylor (On for Taylor Harwood-Bellis 63?) – 6

Solid at the back and used his experience to not allow Northampton back in the game.

Flynn Downes (On for Shea Charles 63?) – 6

Neat and tidy in possession helping Southampton see the game out.

Ryan Fraser (On for Matheus Fernandes 71?) – 6

Saw little from the Scot in the time that remained.