Arsenal vs. Southampton: Score, Report and Post-Match Reaction

Southampton recorded a shock 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, knocking the Gunners out of the 2014 Capital One Cup.

The Saints survived an early deficit and were the better team over 90 minutes, fully deserving of qualification for the next round.     

The Gunners took the lead after 14 minutes, when summer acquisition Alexis Sanchez buried a phenomenal free-kick in the top corner, well out of the reach of Fraser Forster.

StatsBomb's Ted Knutson couldn't believe what he had just witnessed:

The hosts' lead would be short-lived, however. Tomas Rosicky made a lunging tackle on Sadio Mane, and while the Senegalese forward was more than eager to go down, Keith Stroud had no choice but to point to the spot.

Dusan Tadic remained calm and converted, and with his goal, the match truly opened up. Action came fast and furious, and Graziano Pelle could have put the Saints in the lead, his powerful strike finding the post in its path.

With five minutes left to play in the first half, Southampton deservedly took the lead through Nathaniel Clyne, who reacted quickest to Calum Chambers' headed clearance and gave David Ospina no chance.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Lukas Podolski nearly equalised just before the break, but his effort was saved by Forster, ensuring the score would remain 2-1 going into half-time..

The second half got off to a slow start, as the visitors appeared comfortable defending their own box and breaking on the counter.

Arsenal appealed for a penalty of their own when Morgan Schneiderlin appeared to bring down Joel Campbell after an hour of play, but Stroud remained unmoved this time. Goal's Harry Sherlock agreed with the decision:

Tadic came close to doubling his tally with a powerful free-kick, but Ospina did well to deal with his shot. With 20 minutes left to play, Sanchez had the equaliser on his foot, but Forster produced a breathtaking save to deny the Chilean from close range.

The Sun Football loved what they were seeing from the young stopper:

Tadic and Pelle both had late chances to widen the gap between both teams, but neither could get his shot on target. Arsenal piled on some late pressure, but Saints had little difficulty holding on. Forster was booked in extra time for time-wasting, a booking that could have arrived far earlier in the fixture.

Southampton held on for the win, however, as the Gunners are forced to leave the 2014 Capital One Cup in the third round.

Post-Match Reaction

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman told BBC Solent Sport he was very satisfied with the debut of Mane:

The fantastic night for the club was somewhat overshadowed by an injury to James Ward-Prowse, as confirmed by the Dutchman:

Arsenal's up-and-down 2014-15 season will have to continue without Capital One Cup football, perhaps not a disaster considering the defensive injuries that are already taking their toll on the team.

Saints get to celebrate a massive win over one of England's top clubs, as Koeman continues to defy the odds, leading a team that was decimated during the summer transfer window to success far earlier than expected.

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