Crystal Palace’s EFL Cup trophy dreams are over after a 2-0 defeat to Southampton.
Crystal Palace were last night knocked out of the EFL Cup by fellow Premier League side Southampton, with a goals in each halves proving enough to send the Saints through to the fourth round.
In a night where the Saints youngsters impressed, Palace couldn’t do enough to find the back of the net. They were dealt with a blow when skipper Scott Dann came off with a hamstring injury. Martin Kelly replaced the defender and made the mistake of giving away a penalty in the 32nd minute.
Charlie Austin converted the spot-kick, putting the Saints 1-0 up, before Jake Hesketh doubled the lead in the second half.
The result means that Palace’s four-game unbeaten run has come to an end, but the Saints were worthy winners. Wayne Hennessey was Palace’s best player making some fine saves to prevent a hammering from Claude Puel’s side.
Southampton dominated and controlled most of the game, and Palace now will have to pick themselves up in time for Saturday, when Alan Pardew’s team travel to the Stadium of Light to face struggling Sunderland.
Palace fans took to Twitter after the game to react to their side’s exit from the EFL Cup:
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