Derby roar back to knock Southampton out of the FA Cup on penalties

Southampton 2-2 Derby County (3-5 pens): Derby held their nerve as Nathan Redmond missed for the Saints and Richard Keogh struck the decisive kick for the Rams

Richard Keogh celebrates after scoring the winning penalty (AFP/Getty Images)

Derby overcame VAR controversy to win 5-3 on penalties at Southampton and progress to the FA Cup fourth round at Accrington Stanley.

The Rams were incredulous that an earlier goal from Martyn Waghorn had been disallowed for offside by VAR and for a long time it looked as though the decision would cost them.

Frank Lampard’s side had their tactics laid bare by Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa in a sensational press conference earlier in the day but Southampton obviously didn’t get the memo and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were eliminated.

Southampton reached the semi-final of this competition last year, where they were beaten by Chelsea at Wembley.

Then, like now, the primary focus was on Premier League survival but the belief in them doing so with Hassenhuttl in the dugout, rather than Mark Hughes, is far greater.

Martyn Waghorn celebrates Derby’s equaliser (PA)

A cup run would be welcome then and the Austrian named a strong side, despite making five changes from the side that won at Leicester at the weekend. "We will go as far as possible but there is no doubt that the focus is on the Premier League - to stay in the league is more important for the club,” said the former RB Leipzig manager.

Derby, still embroiled in ‘spygate,’ made six. Lampard was invited to comment on the extraordinary press conference held by Leeds manager Bielsa earlier in the day, but declined to do so, adding he’d “had a lot to say already.”

There was no need for any covert operations at St Mary’s given the sparse crowd on a chilly January evening on the South Coast.

The Saints’ newly-adopted pressing style almost played dividends within seconds of kick-off after Derby were dispossessed and Shane Long almost got in behind.

The Saints’ next chance came and went as Jack Stephens headed over from James Ward-Prowse’s corner. They were two of eight former academy players in the Saints squad.

Incredibly, Saints failed to take the lead when Kelle Roos somehow saved from Long at point-blank range after Tyreke Johnson’s cross and Stuart Armstrong saw the rebounding ball squirm through his legs.

Long doesn’t get many goals and he won’t get many easier chances.

Harry Wilson's free-kick ends up in the back of the net (AFP/Getty Images)

Shortly afterwards, Derby created their first meaningful attack as a sweeping move starting from the goalkeeper ended with Mason Mount blasting high over the bar after a clever dummy from Harry Wilson had set up the chance.

The Rams were moving into the ascendancy and another excellent team move ended with Craig Bryson scoring low across goal into the far corner.

VAR was consulted after what looked an extremely marginal offside decision against Martyn Waghorn and the goal was ruled out. Frank Lampard smiled incredulously as St Mary’s was jubilant.

Derby were impressive in possession and 18 year-old Saints defender Kayne Ramsay was struggling to cope with the movement of Wilson.

Lampard’s side were seeing less of the ball in the second half but did threaten when Richard Keogh tested Angus Gunn with a header from Mount’s corner.

Nahtan Redmond has arguably been Southampton’s best player this season and presumably, Hasenhuttl would rather have kept him fresh for the weekend’s visit of Everton.

Martyn Waghorn celebrates Derby’s equaliser (PA)

Instead, he brought him off the bench and Redmond almost broke the deadline 25 minutes from time with a powerful shot turned round the post by Roos.

Neither manager would have been relishing extra time and it was Saints who finally took the lead.

Moi Elyounoussi dinked a cross for Shane Long which Scott Malone bundled off the line but this time Armstrong got his follow up right and nodded the ball over the line.

Two minutes later, the tie looked to be over as Redmond sprung the offside trap to latch onto Stephens’ pass and beautifully dink the ball over Roos.

But six minutes later, Derby scored direct from Wilson’s low free-kick which deceived everyone and crept in at the far post.

Southampton appealed for offside and Anthony Taylor seemed to be consulting VAR once more before awarding the goal.

Then, just as they had 10 days ago at Pride Park, Southampton let their two-goal cushion slip as Waghorn headed in unmarked from Wilson’s right-wing cross to level the scores and bring extra time.

After an uneventful first period, Redmond had an excellent chance to win it after Oriol Romeu had set him up but Roos narrowed the angle to save superbly.

It was an open final few minutes as each side fought to avoid penalties and players dropped to the turf with cramp at regular intervals.

But the inevitable spot kicks came and it was Derby who held their nerve as Redmond missed for the Saints and Richard Keogh struck the decisive kick for the Rams.

Southampton (3-4-2-1): A Gunn 6 – K Ramsay 6 (sub: M Targett 110, 6), J Stephens 7, J Vestergaard 7 – C Soares 6, O Romeu 7, J Ward-Prowse 6, T Johnson 6 (sub: N Redmond 45, 7) – M Elyounoussi 6, S Long 6 (sub: S Gallagher 73, 6), S Armstrong 6 (sub: C Slattery 90, 6). Substitutes not used: A McCarthy, M Targett, J Bednarek, M Barnes. Booked: Johnson, Soares.

Derby (4-3-3): K Roos 7, J Bogle 6 (sub: D Holmes 94, 6), R Keogh 6, F Tomori 7, S Malone 6 – C Bryson 7, T Huddlestone 6 (sub: T Lawrence 80, 7), M Mount 7 – M Waghorm 6, J Marriott 6 (sub: D Nugent 76, 6), H Wilson 8 (sub: M Bennett, 102, 6). Substitutes not used: S Carson, G Evans, M Bennett, D Holmes, M Lowe.