One of the toughest draws in the fifth round of the FA Cup happened between Southampton and West Ham. It was not the only clash between Premier League clubs in this round, but certainly the strongest, as Norwich were not such a threat to Liverpool. The Saints were fighting against a tough tradition: Southampton never won in the FA Cup against West Ham (lost three and drew three) but tonight they were smarter and used their chances better, even thou they were not in full force: Southampton – West Ham 3-1.10 – Michail Antonio has now achieved double figures for goals in each of the last three seasons (10 in 19-20, 20-21 and 21-20), with his 30 in total being the most of any West Ham player in this period. Hammer.— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 2, 2022 Coach Ralph Hasenhuttl somewhat surprisingly decided to make no less than 9 chances since his Friday win over Norwich, so he left Oriol Romeu, Che Adams, Nathan Redmond, Stuart Armstrong, Armando Broja, Fraser Foster and Tino Livramento among others on the bench. Opposite to him, David Moyes made only two changes and made it to the field of St. Mary stadium in full force. West Ham did have an initiative, but they should have used at least one of their two great chances. First it was Soucek in the 10th minute, but the Czech wasn’t accurate enough, and then it was Bowen, who’s header after a great Antonio cross went just over the bar. Unlike the Hammers, the Saints used their first chance of the match, but it wasn’t a chance really. In the 31st minute, left-back Perraud picked up the ball 25 meters from goal and unleashed a thunderbolt into the far top corner, 1-0 Southampton.Coach Hasenhuttl wanted to follow up on that lead and introduced first team players Armstrong and Broja at halftime. But this time, West Ham delivered. In the 59th minute, Saints defenders reacted really poorly in their penalty area, allowing Antonio to score from close range. But clumsy challenge from Dawson soon turned the tide back to the Saints. He brought down Broja and after a VAR suggestion, it was a penalty, successfully converted by captain Ward-Prowse for another Southampton lead. West Ham tried to equalize until the end, but former Chelsea keeper Willy Caballero made a fantastic save from Dawson. In the injury time, Broja confirmed the victory with another goal.
FA CUP Fifth RoundTuesdayPeterborough – Man.City 0-2 (0-0)/Mahrez 60, Grealish 60/Crystal Palace – Stoke 2-1 (0-0)/Kouyate 53, Riedewald 82 – Tymon 58/Middlesbrough. – Tottenham 1-0 (0-0) AET/Coburn 107/WednesdayLuton Town – Chelsea 2-3 (2-1)/Burke 2, Cornick 40 – Saul 27, Werner 68, Lukaku 78/Southampton – West Ham United 3-1 (1-0)/Perraud 31, Ward-Prowse 69 (p), Broja 90+3 – Antonio 60/23.15: (1.20) Liverpool (8.00) Norwich (14.0)Thursday23.15: (1.15) Everton (9.00) Boreham Wood (22.0)Monday22.30: (2.10) Nott.Forest (3.50) Huddersfield (3.80)***odds are subject to change