Southampton secured a comfortable passage into the League Cup third round with victory at Stevenage in the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

All the goals were scored in the second half, Premier League side Saints going 3-0 up via Tadanari Lee, Billy Sharp and Jason Puncheon's 30-yard volley.

Stevenage, unbeaten in League One this season, netted a late consolation through Michael Thalassitis.

But Southampton restored their three-goal lead through Ben Reeves.

Newly promoted Southampton have lost both of their opening games on their return to the Premier League and were looking for a morale-boosting win at the Lamex Stadium.

Saints boss Nigel Adkins fielded a completely different starting XI from Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Wigan and they struggled to click in a goalless first half dominated by Stevenage.

Japan striker Lee, making his return from a five-month lay-off, made the home side pay when he calmly swept home Sharp's cross from 12 yards.

There was an element of controversy to the away team's second goal, with Sharp smashing in after referee Oliver Langford awarded a hotly disputed free-kick inside the Stevenage box.

Langford ruled that home defender Mark Roberts's mis-kick, picked up by goalkeeper Chris Day, was a deliberate backpass - much to the dismay of the hosts.

Puncheon wrapped up the win with a contender for goal of the round moments later. The winger picked up the ball 30 yards out and lifted it on to his knee before smashing a volley past the stranded Day.

Stevenage restored some pride in injury time when they pulled a goal back through substitute Thalassitis's 20-yard effort, before Southampton had the final say when Reeves struck brilliantly from the edge of the area.

Stevenage boss Gary Smith: "I'm not sure we got the rub of the green. The second goal was a pivotal moment in the game and if the referee shows a little more common sense he will see from Mark's body shape he is looking to play the ball across the pitch to the full-back.

"He touches the ball with his standing foot and his other foot touches it back to the keeper. Without that there could have been a different slant on the game.

"We played some very good football but the result looks like a bit of a beating. The second goal undoubtedly shook and rocked the players.

"I thought we lost out discipline and looked too open for a few minutes."

Southampton boss Nigel Adkins: "We knew it was going to be a tough test, but we have ticked a lot of boxes tonight.

"We scored four exceptional goals, Lee has scored and got 90 minutes under his belt after his injury and we showed exceptionally quick thinking for the second, and they were tremendous strikes from Jason and Ben."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Stevenage

  • 16 Day
  • 02 Gray Booked
  • 04 Charles
  • 05 Ashton
  • 14 Roberts
  • 06 Tansey (Grant - 68' )
  • 08 Dunne Booked
  • 09 Haber (Thalassitis - 85' )
  • 11 Akins
  • 15 Freeman
  • 20 Rogers

Substitutes

  • 01 Arnold
  • 29 Ngala
  • 07 Grant
  • 12 Furlonge
  • 17 Ball
  • 19 Thalassitis
  • 32 Shroot

Southampton

  • 12 Gazzaniga
  • 22 Richardson
  • 23 Shaw
  • 25 Seaborne
  • 32 Butterfield
  • 14 Hammond (Chambers - 84' )
  • 16 Ward-Prowse
  • 27 Chaplow (Reeves - 77' )
  • 42 Puncheon
  • 11 Sharp (Moore - 85' )
  • 19 Lee

Substitutes

  • 01 K Davis
  • 26 Stephens
  • 29 Reeves
  • 34 Moore
  • 28 Chambers
  • 35 Hoskins
  • 36 Sinclair
Ref: Langford
Att: 3,062

Match Stats

Shots

9 9

On target

2 4

Corners

9 2

Fouls

6 2

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:42 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +5:14 Booking

Booking James Dunne (Stevenage) booked for unsporting behaviour.

90:00 +2:57

Assist (pass) by Calum Chambers (Southampton) from left channel.

90:00 +2:57 Goal scored

Goal - Ben Reeves - Stevenage 1 - 4 Southamp'n Goal by Ben Reeves (Southampton) left-footed (top-left of goal) from right channel (25 yards).Stevenage 1-4 Southampton.

90:00 +1:25 Goal scored

Goal - Michael Thalassitis - Stevenage 1 - 3 Southamp'n Goal by Michael Thalassitis (Stevenage) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from right side of penalty area (6 yards).Stevenage 1-3 Southampton.

88:44

Goal kick taken short by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton).

88:14

Cross by Darius Charles (Stevenage), header by James Dunne (Stevenage) from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.

87:37

Goal kick taken long by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton).

87:20

Goal kick taken long by Chris Day (Stevenage).

84:57

Attacking throw-in by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

84:33 Substitution

Substitution Stevenage substitution: Marcus Haber replaced by Michael Thalassitis (tactical).

84:07 Substitution

Substitution Southampton substitution: Billy Sharp replaced by Sam Hoskins (tactical).

83:36 Substitution

Substitution Southampton substitution: Dean Hammond replaced by Calum Chambers (tactical).

83:11

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Luke Freeman (Stevenage) to far post, resulting in open play.

82:35

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Robin Shroot (Stevenage) to far post, clearance by Daniel Seaborne (Southampton).

80:33

Defending throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

80:24

Defending throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

79:36

Foul by Luke Freeman (Stevenage) on Frazer Richardson (Southampton). Free kick taken right-footed by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton) from centre of penalty area, resulting in open play.

75:45 Goal scored

Goal - Jason Puncheon - Stevenage 0 - 3 Southamp'n Jason Puncheon fires in a goal from outside the penalty box to the top right corner of the goal. Stevenage 0-3 Southampton.

76:27 Substitution

Substitution Southampton substitution: Richard Chaplow replaced by Ben Reeves (tactical).

75:45 Goal scored

Goal - Jason Puncheon - Stevenage 0 - 3 Southamp'n Goal by Jason Puncheon (Southampton) left-footed (top-right of goal) from left channel (25 yards).Stevenage 0-3 Southampton.

75:07

Foul by Lucas Akins (Stevenage) on Luke Shaw (Southampton). Free kick taken left-footed by Luke Shaw (Southampton) from left channel, passed.

73:47 Goal scored

Goal - Billy Sharp - Stevenage 0 - 2 Southamp'n Goal by Billy Sharp (Southampton) left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from left side of penalty area (12 yards).Stevenage 0-2 Southampton.

72:40

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

71:27

Cross by Mark Roberts (Stevenage), shot by Lucas Akins (Stevenage) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), clearance by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Luke Freeman (Stevenage) to centre, resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton).

70:33

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Chris Day (Stevenage) to near post, clearance by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

69:55

Defending throw-in by Darius Charles (Stevenage).

69:06

Defending throw-in by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

68:54

Attacking throw-in by Robin Shroot (Stevenage).

68:14

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

67:59

Goal kick taken long by Chris Day (Stevenage).

67:32 Substitution

Substitution Stevenage substitution: Greg Tansey replaced by Anthony Grant (tactical).

67:00

Cross by Danny Butterfield (Southampton), resulting in open play. Cross by Luke Shaw (Southampton), clearance by Chris Day (Stevenage).

66:27

Attacking throw-in by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

66:02

Marcus Haber (Stevenage) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton) from own half, passed.

65:12

Goal kick taken long by Chris Day (Stevenage).

64:49

Shot by Billy Sharp (Southampton) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.

63:48

Defending throw-in by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

62:53 Substitution

Substitution Stevenage substitution: Robbie Rogers replaced by Robin Shroot (tactical).

61:49

Goal kick taken long by Chris Day (Stevenage).

61:16

Attacking throw-in by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

60:22

Defending throw-in by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

59:12

Defending throw-in by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

58:58

Attacking throw-in by Darius Charles (Stevenage).

58:40

Attacking throw-in by Robbie Rogers (Stevenage).

58:14

Shot by Richard Chaplow (Southampton) right-footed from left channel (35+ yards), missed left.

57:13

Foul by Luke Freeman (Stevenage) on Dean Hammond (Southampton). Free kick taken left-footed by Luke Shaw (Southampton) from right channel, resulting in open play.

56:23

Cross by Luke Freeman (Stevenage), shot by James Dunne (Stevenage) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), over the bar.

54:48

Free kick taken left-footed by Tadanari Lee (Southampton) from left channel, passed.

54:48 Booking

Booking David Gray (Stevenage) booked for unsporting behaviour.

54:26

Foul by David Gray (Stevenage) on Tadanari Lee (Southampton).

54:10

Defending throw-in by Luke Shaw (Southampton).

52:48

Assist (pass) by Billy Sharp (Southampton) from right side of penalty area.

52:48 Goal scored

Goal - Tadanari Lee - Stevenage 0 - 1 Southamp'n Goal by Tadanari Lee (Southampton) left-footed (low centre of goal) from right side of penalty area (20 yards).Stevenage 0-1 Southampton.

50:52

Cross by Danny Butterfield (Southampton), save (caught) by Chris Day (Stevenage).

50:33

Defending throw-in by Luke Shaw (Southampton).

50:06

Daniel Seaborne (Southampton) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Chris Day (Stevenage) from own half, resulting in open play.

49:13

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Jason Puncheon (Southampton) to far post, resulting in open play.

47:28

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Greg Tansey (Stevenage) to centre, save (caught) by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton).

46:00

Foul by Robbie Rogers (Stevenage) on Richard Chaplow (Southampton). Free kick taken right-footed by Frazer Richardson (Southampton) from left channel, passed.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:00 +0:04 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.

43:54

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

43:18

Goal kick taken long by Chris Day (Stevenage).

42:58

Attacking throw-in by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

42:11

Defending throw-in by Darius Charles (Stevenage).

41:40

Defending throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

41:09

Attacking throw-in by Luke Shaw (Southampton).

40:34

Attacking throw-in by Jason Puncheon (Southampton).

39:25

Goal kick taken long by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton).

38:30

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Luke Freeman (Stevenage) to far post, shot by Mark Roberts (Stevenage) right-footed from left side of penalty area (6 yards), missed left.

38:13

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

37:39

Shot by Danny Butterfield (Southampton) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed right.

37:03

Attacking throw-in by Darius Charles (Stevenage).

36:23

Foul by Lucas Akins (Stevenage) on Luke Shaw (Southampton). Free kick taken right-footed by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton) from own half, resulting in open play.

36:04

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

35:24

Defending throw-in by Luke Shaw (Southampton).

35:12

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

34:28

Attacking throw-in by Darius Charles (Stevenage).

33:57

Handball by James Dunne (Stevenage). Free kick taken left-footed by Dean Hammond (Southampton) from right channel, passed.

33:33

Attacking throw-in by Darius Charles (Stevenage).

33:17

Cross by Marcus Haber (Stevenage), clearance by Luke Shaw (Southampton).

32:40

Marcus Haber (Stevenage) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton) from own half, resulting in open play.

31:55

Corner from right by-line taken short left-footed by Luke Freeman (Stevenage).

31:34

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

30:54

Shot by Luke Freeman (Stevenage) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), resulting in open play.

30:47

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

30:11

Foul by Billy Sharp (Southampton) on Jon Ashton (Stevenage). Free kick taken right-footed by Jon Ashton (Stevenage) from left channel, resulting in open play.

29:35

Goal kick taken long by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton).

28:59

Attacking throw-in by Luke Shaw (Southampton).

28:47

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

26:54

Goal kick taken long by Chris Day (Stevenage).

26:22

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

25:25

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

24:30

Goal kick taken long by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton).

24:03

Attacking throw-in by Darius Charles (Stevenage).

23:42

Goal kick taken short by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton).

23:18

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

22:57

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

22:46

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

22:20

Goal kick taken long by Chris Day (Stevenage).

21:23

Shot by Robbie Rogers (Stevenage) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton).

20:08

Cross by Robbie Rogers (Stevenage), resulting in open play.

19:12

Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Lucas Akins (Stevenage).

18:48

Cross by Marcus Haber (Stevenage), clearance by Luke Shaw (Southampton).

18:00

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

17:16

Attacking throw-in by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

17:05

Goal kick taken short by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton).

16:42

Cross by David Gray (Stevenage), resulting in ball out of play.

16:20

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

15:33

Tadanari Lee (Southampton) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Chris Day (Stevenage) from own half, resulting in open play.

14:12

Marcus Haber (Stevenage) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton) from own half, resulting in open play.

13:31

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

12:47

Attacking throw-in by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

12:00

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

11:06

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) to near post, header by Daniel Seaborne (Southampton) from left side of penalty area (6 yards), over the bar.

10:44

Shot by James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by James Dunne (Stevenage).

10:09

Attacking throw-in by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

9:37

Cross by James Dunne (Stevenage), resulting in open play.

9:12

Defending throw-in by Luke Shaw (Southampton).

9:02

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

8:31

Billy Sharp (Southampton) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Chris Day (Stevenage) from own half, resulting in open play.

6:40

Attacking throw-in by Danny Butterfield (Southampton).

5:02

Foul by Dean Hammond (Southampton) on Mark Roberts (Stevenage). Free kick taken right-footed by Greg Tansey (Stevenage) from left channel (25 yards),

3:44

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Chris Day (Stevenage) to short, shot by Mark Roberts (Stevenage) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards),

3:09

Cross by Richard Chaplow (Southampton), clearance by Chris Day (Stevenage).

2:21

Billy Sharp (Southampton) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Chris Day (Stevenage) from own half, resulting in open play.

1:26

Goal kick taken long by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton).

0:21

Attacking throw-in by David Gray (Stevenage).

0:01

Marcus Haber (Stevenage) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Paulo Gazzaniga (Southampton) from own half, resulting in open play.

0:00

The game kicks-off.

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