Southampton progress in Carabao Cup after late goals at Colchester

Saints steady after early scare to reach second round

Southampton booked their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 victory at Colchester United, a result that provided an otherwise subdued opening to the club's competitive campaign.

The match, played in Essex, was the Saints’ first competitive fixture since their controversial exit from the Championship play-offs at the end of last season. After a nervy opening period in which Colchester pressed and forced saves from Daniel Peretz, Southampton improved after the break and found decisive moments late in the game.

With just under 20 minutes remaining the breakthrough arrived when substitute Cyle Larin met Ryan Manning's cross at the back post and nodded the opener into the net. The forward was making his first appearance for Southampton since the World Cup, where he scored twice for Canada, and his finish settled a contest that had been even for long spells.

"Peretz produced a triple save to deny the U's"

Southampton then sealed the tie in stoppage time as 20-year-old midfielder Romeo Akachukwu scored his first senior goal for the club after coming off the bench. The young midfielder cut onto his left foot to beat a defender before finishing past the goalkeeper to make the result safe.

Key incidents and patterns

Colchester started strongly and on several occasions had the better of the opening exchanges, with the hosts' attacking intent repeatedly tested by Peretz. At one point the goalkeeper produced what was described by match reports as a triple save to keep the scores level. The visitors' first half was otherwise unremarkable, though Leo Scienza troubled the Saints at times and Jack Tucker had a header cleared off the goal line in first-half stoppage time.

The second half saw Southampton take control. Flynn Downes came close with a long-range strike early in the period and the steady pressure eventually paid off with Larin’s finish. Colchester continued to threaten late on — Harry Anderson tipped a header narrowly over the bar with five minutes remaining — but Southampton held firm and added the late clincher.

• Final score: Colchester United 0–2 Southampton
• Scorers: Cyle Larin (approx. 72nd minute), Romeo Akachukwu (stoppage time)
• Notable: Daniel Peretz produced several important saves, including a 'triple save' early on

The result will come as a relief for head coach Tonda Eckert, who remains under the shadow of the club’s off-field controversy. Eckert has been charged with breaches of FA rules related to the filming of rival clubs’ training sessions — an investigation that led to Southampton’s expulsion from the play-offs in the closing stages of last season — and faces potential disciplinary action. The cup win gives the squad match minutes and a platform to build from as attention returns to on-field matters.

Squad context and next steps

For Southampton, the fixture provided opportunities for fringe players and substitutes to stake a claim. Larin’s return to competitive action and Akachukwu’s impact from the bench will both be noted by supporters and the coaching staff as preparations continue for the Championship season.

Southampton now turn their focus to the league, with their Championship campaign due to begin next weekend when they travel to face Watford. The cup victory should help sharpen match fitness and confidence ahead of that fixture, though questions over the club’s off-field situation remain unresolved and will continue to be followed closely by supporters.

For Saints fans, the win provided a measured tonic after an unsettled off-season. The challenge now is to translate late-cup form and individual returns to consistent performances in the league, where the season truly begins for the club.