Double Trouble

Southampton 2 Crystal Palace 0: Charlie Austin and Jake Hesketh strike to send Eagles crashing out of EFL Cup

Striker Austin scored his fourth goal in three games to give Saints the lead as young Hesketh wrapped things up

GRAHAM NICKLESS
Anthony Chapman

Published: 22:39, 21 Sep 2016
Updated: 3:24, 23 Sep 2016

CHARLIE AUSTIN made it four goals in three games as Southampton brushed aside Crystal Palace in their EFL Cup third round clash.

The former QPR ace was handed a rare star by boss Claude Puel and instantly rewarded the Frenchman's faith by slotting home a penalty in the 33rd minute.

Charlie Austin scored his fourth goal in three games as Southampton beat Crystal PalaceCredit: PA:Press Association

The striker netted from the spot to put his side aheadCredit: Reuters

Palace found it hard to get going despite being star men Wilfried Zaha and Yohan Cabaye, and Saints doubled their advantage in the second half through youngster Jake Hesketh.

The south-coast club have only won once in the Premier League this season, and will be hoping tonight's much-needed victory can boost morale ahead of a tricky clash against West Ham on Sunday.

Jake Hesketh put the game to bed with a good finishCredit: Reuters

The youngster had an impressive game for the south-coast outfitCredit: Reuters

FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS

Saints boss Claude Puel may not fancy Charlie Austin but he can hardly leave him out of the starting line-up for Sunday's trip to West Ham after the player made it four goals in three games.
Shane Long can't seem to buy a goal these days and was left cursing his luck in the first half when Palace's Damien Delaney cleared his half-hit shot off the line and was left kicking a post when Hennessey denied him with a great save in the second half.
Alan Pardew received another warm welcome from Saints fans who will always remember him for giving the club their first cup success for 24 years when he led Southampton to a Football League Trophy Final win over Carlisle in 2010!
Saints boss Claude Puel's rotation policy at Southampton has been endorsed by former Barcelona star Oriol Romeu who declared before last night's EFL cup-tie with Crystal Palace: "It's important to keep everyone fresh."
Southampton urged their supporters to print their match day tickets before arriving at St Mary's to avoid queuing after hearing of the severe delays for fans at Bournemouth the night before when some didn't get into the ground for the Preston tie until half-time!

Claude Puel was pleased with his team's performanceCredit: Reuters

Alan Pardew's men couldn't get going at St Mary'sCredit: Reuters

Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, 29 was spotted watching Hampshire's crucial County Championship clash against Durham at the Ageas Bowl stadium before joining up with the Eagles at St Mary's.
Palace fans wanted veteran goalkeeper Julian Speroni, 37, to play against Southampton so that the Argentine could surpass John Jackson's club record-breaking 388 appearance but he had to make do with a place on the bench.
England squad star Alex McCarthy finally made his Southampton debut against his old club Crystal Palace where he made only seven appearances.
Southampton youth academy is the envy of the country which was illustrated when manager Claude Puel included four players from that group in last night's side which had eight changes from Sunday's home win over Swansea.
St Mary's was half-empty as three home games in a row finally caught up with Southampton's hard-up locals for this third round EFL Cup game.

Southampton 2 Crystal Palace 0: Charlie Austin and Jake Hesketh strike to send Eagles crashing out of EFL Cup

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