Southampton Advances to FA Cup Fifth Round with Win over Watford, Set to Face Liverpool
Sekou Mara's Brace Helps Saints Secure Victory, Leeds United and Coventry City Also Progress
The Saints, also known as Southampton, defeated Watford 3-0 in a fourth-round replay on Tuesday, setting up an FA Cup matchup with Liverpool. Sekou Mara scored twice for the Saints.
Coventry City defeated Sheffield Wednesday 4-1 to clinch a fixture with lower league Maidstone United, while Leeds United defeated Plymouth Argyle 4-1 in overtime to go to the fifth round as well.
Although promotion is still Southampton's first aim, they will be eager to take on Juergen Klopp's team after extending their winning streak to 24 games across all competitions.
The game at St Mary's sprang into life after the break, with Frenchman Mara scoring twice in the next six minutes, after a dull first half.
After a deft touch by Che Adams, he opened the score in the 52nd minute. Shortly after, teenage striker Tyler Dibling broke free and found Adams, who then set up Mara for a thunderous 20-meter goal.
After that, Adams scored his tenth goal of the year after converting a free kick by Joe Rothwell.
Wilfried Gnonto's well-taken goal seemed to guarantee Leeds a spot in the fifth round, but Brendan Galloway's close-range header for the hosts Plymouth late in the game tied the score.
Crysencio Summerville scored for Leeds in the opening half of extra time, curling in a superb goal after a jinking run, as the rain continued to pelt.
Georginio Rutter put it up to 3-1, and Ryan Hardie's own goal put Plymouth out of contention.
"We have a lot of games between now and (the trip to Anfield) so it won't be a focus for a while but I'm pleased for the lads as they've earned the opportunity with a really convincing performance in the second half," Russell Martin, Southampton coach, told the BBC.
"Going there and playing like the team we want to be will be our toughest challenge. Nothing will change on our end. It's an incredible task.
The first half wasn't enjoyable to me. They've been so wonderful that I won't be saying sorry."
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