Manchester City stunned by Southampton in League Cup defeat

Haaland and De Bruyne fail to inspire Pep Guardiola's side after coming off the bench

Erling Haaland looks dejected after Manchester City's defeat against Southampton in the League Cup quarter-final at St Mary's Stadium on January 11, 2023. Getty

Southampton's Moussa Djenepo celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters

Moussa Djenepo celebrates scoring Southampton's second goal with Duje Caleta-Car and James Ward-Prowse. Reuters

Southampton's Sekou Mara celebrates with Moussa Djenepo after scoring the first goal. Getty

Sekou Mara celebrates his goal. Getty

Southampton's Sekou Mara scores the game's first goal. PA

City striker Erling Haaland came on in the second half. Reuters

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaks to Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne and Joao Cancelo. PA

Erling Haaland in action with Southampton's Gavin Bazunu and Mohammed Salisu. Reuters

Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, looks unhappy during the defeat. Getty

Manchester City crashed out of the League Cup after substitutes Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne failed to inspire a fightback in a shock 2-0 quarter-final defeat to Premier League strugglers Southampton.

First-half goals from Saints pair Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo stunned the eight-time winners on an extraordinary evening at St Mary’s for Nathan Jones’ bottom-of-the-table side.

Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse told Sky Sports: "A special night. These games are special to play in especially when you're struggling in the league. We knew this was a distraction from the league and a great showcase. We showed no fear.

"It's always tough when you're in the position we are. The manager has been excellent and has given us fresh ideas and new energy. He wanted us to be bold and aggressive.

"We have been guilty in the past of having a result at half-time and dropping off. We showed a different part of our game. We thoroughly deserved the win."

Pep Guardiola began with Haaland and De Bruyne on the bench for the second successive game ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

But, unlike on Sunday when the influential pair were not required in a thumping 4-0 FA Cup victory over Chelsea, the decision backfired as they were unable to prevent City suffering elimination after coming off the bench in the second period.

Battling underdogs Southampton fully merited victory and will face Newcastle in their first League Cup semi-final since going on to finish runners-up in 2017, while Nottingham Forest play Manchester United in the other last-four clash.

A remarkable result on the south coast was Saints’ first home success over Premier League opposition since they beat Chelsea in August and only a sixth since the start of 2022.

Southampton overcame League One clubs Cambridge, Sheffield Wednesday and Lincoln to reach this stage but the vast number of empty seats suggested many home fans did not envisage further progression.

Yet Jones’ aside their dire league campaign and dismal home form as an aggressive start prevented City slipping into their formidable rhythm and paved the way for a monumental upset.

Lyanco epitomised Saints’ steel with his robust early treatment of Jack Grealish and he was instrumental in the 23rd-minute opener.

After cutting out Sergio Gomez’s pass to Grealish, the Brazilian defender raced forward and delivered a low cross which Mara emphatically swept past Stefan Ortega to claim his first goal for the club.

City’s sold-out away end were briefly silenced by the surprise breakthrough and they had serious cause for concern only five minutes later as Djenepo doubled the lead.

The Mali international collected the ball just inside opposition territory and accelerated towards goal before unleashing a speculative curling effort from 30 yards which sailed over the head of stranded goalkeeper Ortega.

City’s best chance of an alarming first half fell to captain Ilkay Gundogan, who fired wide inside six minutes, and Guardiola responded by bringing on De Bruyne, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji for the second period.

De Bruyne almost made an immediate impact but, after his through ball cut open Saints’ defence, Julian Alvarez flashed wide.

The ineffectual Grealish then escaped punishment for a needless, off-the-ball barge on Djenepo before being promptly replaced by Haaland.

Top scorer Haaland, seeking to add to his 27 goals this term, hooked over before Che Adams had an effort ruled out for offside at the other end.

In the other quarter-final on Wednesday, Nottingham Forest beat Wolves 4-3 on penalties with the two sides locked at 1-1 at full-time.