Premier League strugglers Southampton booked their place in the last four of the FA Cup, but were made to work hard.
Sam McQueen has suggested on Twitter that Southampton’s win over Wigan Athletic is hopefully the start of something for the Saints, while he also labelled the fans’ support as class.
Southampton were able to take their mind off their Premier League struggles this weekend as they travelled to the DW Stadium to face the 2013 winners of the FA Cup for a place in the semi-finals.
Wigan – who knocked Manchester City out in the previous round – were excellent during the first-half and certainly looked the most likely team to score the game’s opening goal. But the Saints – who were being managed by Mark Hughes for the first time following his appointment until the end of the season in midweek – made sure that the League One promotion-chasers paid for their inability to take their chances.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg broke the deadlock shortly after the hour-mark. And while Manolo Gabbiadini had a penalty brilliantly saved by Christian Walton, Cedric Soares put the tie to bed in stoppage-time with a neat finish.
It was certainly a positive first game for Hughes and will give the Saints plenty of belief for after the international break when they will be looking to get themselves out of the bottom three away at West Ham.
But for now, Southampton can celebrate reaching the last four of the competition for the first time since they lost in the 2003 final to Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium.
And after the game, McQueen – who was not in the squad – praised the supporters on social media, while he also alluded to the fresh optimism that now exists within the camp…
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