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Wolverhampton Wanderers played host to Southampton to vie for a spot in the Quarter-Final. It was a perfectly balanced game on paper and games like this could go either way. It is always a fine margin that determines games like this and it boils down to who can take their chances.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have been struggling with form recently and it is worrisome because they are indeed a decent side and you would admire the balance of creativity and strength that they have on their side but it hasn't been working for them in recent games.
Wolverhampton Wanderers got knocked out at home. They have been having a terrible form of late and Nuno hasn't found a solution to arrest this fall. Southampton knocked them out of the FA Cup in the 5th round and advanced to the Quarter Finals where they would take on Bournemouth, which is the only championship side remaining.
Southampton made their aerial threat known with series of crosses into the box and Wolves' goalkeeper; Ruddy got so busy on the day by keeping the threats out and keeping his side in the game. He was exceptional on the night even though he made a vital mistake towards the end of the game.
Ruddy saved Danny Ings' goalbound back heel by getting down so fast before watching Djenepo's shot rattled the crossbar. Wolves were hanging by a thread.
Wolves also felt they should have gotten a penalty when Gibbs-White went down in the box after a challenge by Salisu but VAR dismissed that penalty call.
Southampton should have gotten ahead when Redmond was picked out with a cross on the left-hand side, looped a shot into the waiting arms of Ruddy. Wolves best opportunity was when Joao Moutinho's freekick was lifted into the box and Saiss beat the offside trap while unleashing a half volley but he blasted it over.
The first time ended 0-0 and there was nothing to separate the two sides. Southampton started brightly when a flash across the box found Armstrong. The ball found his feet and he shockingly sent the ball wide. It wasn't long after that, in the 49th minute when Ings' perfectly timed run was orchestrated to meet Ryan Bertrand's through ball, his power shot managed to creep over the line despite Ruddy's heroics to keep it out. The lineman already ruled for offside but VAR gave the goal. 1-0 to Southampton.
Wolves tried to respond when Gibbs-White's cross found Silva but he was unable to keep his effort down. Ruddy kept his team In the game with a series of saves.
Armstrong skid through weak challenges from Wolves' players to release Redmond. Redmond went one on one with Ruddy but it was a big save from Ruddy.
With 10 minutes to go, Forster denied Adama Traore after Neto raced down the left-hand side and put a perfectly weighted cross into the middle which landed for Traore. He hit it the first time but his effort was cleared off the line by the goalkeeper.
The killer blow was struck in the extra time when Ruddy's mistake allowed Armstrong to curl his effort off the inside of the post to score and make it 2-0. It could have been 3 when the referee pointed to the spot but VAR picked a freekick instead. The Saints marched on while leaving the Wolves to rue their messed chances and lick their wounds.
The draw is out and Southampton will take on Bournemouth, even though Bournemouth would be playing at home. It would be another challenge for Southampton as Bournemouth remains the only championship side in the Quarter-Final. We have to wait till March, 20-21st to catch the action with other games too.
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