Southampton needed extra-time to avoid a FA Cup fourth-round shock against an impressive Coventry City, but it came at a price with worrying injuries to defender Lyanco and striker Armando Broja.
The Saints came from behind to squeeze past their Championship opponents – with Kyle Walker-Peters proving the unlikely matchwinner courtesy of a fortuitous, deflected strike off Coventry captain Dominic Hyam.
They had initially fallen behind in normal regulation when Viktor Gyokeres scored, before substitute Stuart Armstrong equalised with a stunning effort.
Kyle Walker-Peters was the unlikely hero after he rescued Southampton against Coventry City
Walker-Peters scored the winner in the 112th minute – to the delight of the home supporters
Lyanco left St. Mary’s on crutches following a hamstring injury, while Broja was left in a heap at full-time following a knock above the knee.
And while Ralph Hasenhuttl could puff out his cheeks in relief at the result, his attentions immediately turned to the duo’s health – especially with Premier League trips to top-four hopefuls Tottenham and Manchester United next week.
‘We paid too high a price today for winning,’ the Southampton manager reflected at full-time. ‘Lyanco’s injury looked serious. Broja was hit on top of the knee which needs to be looked at. We’re hoping it’s not too serious.’
In a gripping tie, Coventry had the better of the chances but failed to capitalise on those. The Sky Blues have Premier League promotion aspirations this season and, on this evidence, manager Mark Robins will fancy their chances of securing a play-off berth.
On another day they would be celebrating a famous win – in a game that had drama until the end as substitute Martyn Waghorn saw a last-minute extra-time equaliser ruled out for offside.
‘The team who created best chances lost but you have to take them,’ Robins ruefully said. ‘We deserved at least a shootout but there are a lot of positives to take from this. It was a brilliant performance tinged with a bit of sadness and regret. The lads were outstanding and now we recover for Tuesday [against Blackpool in the Championship].’
The pre-match atmosphere was electric at a sold-out St. Mary’s. A brass band played the Motown classic September by Earth, Wind and Fire. And Coventry certainly had the wind in their sails as they made a sizzling start on the south coast.
Within seconds they nearly took the lead but Gyokeres’ dangerous ball into the box just evaded Callum O’Hare.
It was an early warning for a disjointed Southampton side who made 10 changes for this FA Cup tie, with only James Ward-Prowse retained from the side which drew with Manchester City in the Premier League before the winter break.
The hosts’ lack of cohesion was evident just a minute later as Josh Eccles was allowed to drive with the ball up to the edge of the Saints box before forcing a smart, low save from goalkeeper Willy Caballero.
Coventry City had led the FA Cup tie after Viktor Gyokeres kept his cool to put them in front
Southampton were dealt another blow in the first half when defender Lyanco went off injured
Southampton sported a special limited edition white strip for this tie, in honour of the 20th anniversary of their ‘Saints Foundation’ charity, and they played like the away side as Coventry dominated the first half.
It took 12 minutes for Hasenhuttl’s men to show any real quality and it started from set-piece specialist Ward-Prowse. The England international rolled a corner into the near post which found Adam Armstrong. The striker’s clever flick was met by Theo Walcott, whose first-time shot forced Simon Moore into a fine stop – his only one of note in the first half.
That was as good as it got for Southampton. Thierry Small was making his debut at left-wing back for them and it was one nearly to forget for the teenager, who came close to heading into his own net from a Jake Bidwell cross. Fortunately for the 17-year-old though, Caballero was alert to catch the ball.
Coventry’s front three of O’Hare, Gyokeres and Ian Maatsen were purring – constantly linking beautifully and causing the hosts’ defence problems. On 21 minutes O’Hare, whose ability to dribble with the ball is akin to Jack Grealish, slalomed his way forward before playing in Gyokeres. However, the striker couldn’t sort his feet out and the chance went begging.
Stuart Armstrong’s (centre) spectacular effort in the second half sent the tie into extra-time
Coventry goalkeeper Simon Moore could do nothing about the strike which flew into the goal
They deservedly took the lead just seconds later though when Gyokeres played a smart one-two with Ben Sheaf, who was celebrating his 24th birthday, before rolling the ball past goalkeeper Willy Caballero on 22 minutes. The away fans, who were in fine voice throughout, went up several more decibels.
It was nothing less than what they deserved with Southampton below-par. Matters were compounded on the half-hour mark for Saints as Lyanco suffered his injury. That saw Hasenhuttl change shape from a 3-4-3 to a 4-4-2 with substitute Nathan Redmond going to left midfield and Small shifting to left back, with A. Armstrong and Shane Long up top.
The change of formation didn’t alter the momentum though as Coventry continued to dominate. Maatsen volleyed over with a brilliant first-time effort from a corner on 36 minutes. Two minutes later he fired just wide after a strong run by Eccles found him on the edge of the box.
Boos rang out at half-time as the home supporters voiced their displeasure at what they saw.
Hasenhuttl’s mood must have echoed that too as his side were vastly improved after the interval. Small and A. Armstrong were hooked at half-time for Kyle Walker-Peters and S. Armstrong. It brought an immediate improvement with Southampton marching forward and getting the crowd on side.
Martyn Waghorn thought he had become Coventry’s hero when he scored late into extra-time
But it was ruled out for offside much to the despair of he, Gyokeres (pictured) and Co
Coventry still posed a threat though and Gyokeres wasted a glorious chance on the counter-attack when played through on goal. Unable to race clear his shot was eventually blocked by Yan Valery.
Valery turned from defensive hero to assist maker as Armstrong equalised with a strike befitting for the FA Cup final, rather than the fourth round. Collecting a simple pass from Valery, he took one touch before blasting a strike into the top corner from 25 yards out. St Mary’s, which had been bubbling, duly erupted.
Despite pressure from the Saints, they were unable to find a winner in normal time as Coventry continued to cause problems of their own. Extra-time followed and events didn’t spark into life until the final eight minutes of it.
First Walker-Peters scored, then Waghorn headed wide – in what looked to be the last chance for Coventry. That wasn’t to be though, as he then put the ball into the back of the net in the dying embers. However, he was offside as he steered Todd Kane’s effort in – to the pandemonium and relief of the home support.
The Saints go marching on, but only just.
The dramatic extra-time win means Ralph Hasenhuttl’s will be in Sunday’s fifth-round draw
Mark Robins and his 12th-placed Coventry will now focus on their Championship campaign