Southampton took a break from league play to face fellow Premier League struggler Everton in the Carabao Cup’s third round.
Both managers made several changes for the Carabao Cup clash, with Lesley Ugochukwu the only Southampton player retained from their 3-0 loss to Manchester United. The match lacked quality, with set pieces proving most effective as Abdoulaye Doucoure and Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored from dead-ball situations.
Alex McCarthy, returning to goal, made key saves, including denying Jesper Lindstrom and saving Ashley Young’s penalty in the shootout. Southampton advanced to the round of 16 after a 1-1 draw in regular time.
While many fringe players struggled to stand out, a few caught manager Russell Martin’s eye. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who captained the side despite Adam Armstrong’s presence, delivered a performance that could earn him a regular starting spot. Harwood-Bellis, who had been sidelined by Southampton’s switch to a back four against Manchester United, made a strong case with his display at Goodison Park.
Jack Stephens, suspended after a red card, missed this game and will be absent for at least two more matches. Harwood-Bellis’s performance, including a goal and a penalty in the shootout, demonstrated his value and suggested he should be preferred over Stephens.
Rated an impressive eight out of ten by the Daily Echo, Harwood-Bellis scored the equalizer and completed 150 passes with a 94% accuracy. He also led the team with 172 touches, won four of five duels, and made significant defensive contributions. With few Southampton players making an impact, Harwood-Bellis showed he deserves to partner Jan Bednarek moving forward.
Leave a Reply