Southampton out of the Carabao Cup following defeat to Wolves

Southampton’s march back to Wembley came to a premature end in the Carabao Cup second round against Wolverhampton.

Mauricio Pellegrino looked to replicate former manager Claude Puel’s success in the Leage Cup, which ended in a run to the finals.

But second-half goals from Danny Batth and Donovan Wilson earned Championship side Wolverhampton a deserved 2-0 win at St Mary’s, despite making 11 changes.

Wolves had two early chances to take the lead when Nouha Dicko cut inside but had his shot blocked, before Ivan Cavaleiro scuffed his close-range effort against a gaping net.

Maya Yoshida came close for Southampton, who made six changes to the side that won against West Ham, but the defender’s header was wide of the mark.

Jeremy Pied then started a run of opportunities that went missing. He dragged his shot past the post after breaking in one-on-one with Wolves goalkeeper Will Norris.

Southampton debutant Jan Bednarek would fluff a header of his own from James Ward-Prowse’s dipping free kick, before being denied by Norris from in close nearing half-time.

From the resulting corner, Pied had his strike at the back post deflected wide following a goalmouth scramble in which Dusan Tadic failed to let off an attempt.

Wolves, however, made another good start to the half and were rewarded for their efforts just over 20 minutes from full-time. Batth was quickest to Ivan Cavaleiro’s corner kick and headed in at the near post to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

Southampton, who had been pressed into their own half for a majority of the second-half, was nearly gifted a leveller through Sam McQueen when his cross was palmed awkwardly off the bar by Norris.

But Wolves would strike again nearing full-time when Wilson’s own rebound bounced of him and past Fraser Forster.

Southampton: Forster, McQueen, Yoshida, Bednarek (Redmond 73), Pied, Romeu, Stephens, Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Boufal (Gabbiadini 76), Austin (Long 76).

Unused subs: McCarthy (GK), Cedric, Bertrand, Davis.

Bookings: Austin (27), Romeu (45).

Goals: None.

Wolverhampton: Norris, Vinagre, Deslandes, Batth, Bennett, Graham, Price, Edwards, Cavaleiro (Wilson 84), Marshall (Ronan 46), Dicko (Zyro 75).

Unused subs: Burgoyne (GK), Goncalves, Johnson, Armstrong.

Bookings: Marshall (44), Zyro (74).

Goals: Batth (67), Wilson (87).