EFL Cup Final: Southampton's route to Wembley

Southampton are underdogs as they gear up to tackle Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United on Sunday – with the winner claiming the first available domestic trophy of the season.

The EFL Cup will be contested at Wembley between Claude Puel’s Saints and Mourinho’s Red Devils.

But it might not be as cut and dry as many think. United have been in fine form, but Southampton have had to graft for their cup final place.

Here’s how the south coast side ended up booking their place at Wembley.

Third round (September 21) – Southampton 2 Crystal Palace 0

[AS IT HAPPENED: Southampton 2 Crystal Palace 0]

Charlie Austin scored his fourth goal in three games as much-changed Southampton overcame Crystal Palace. The striker gave Saints a first-half lead from the penalty spot, before the impressive Jake Hesketh added their second and his first senior goal to ensure victory.

Fourth round (October 26) – Southampton 1 Sunderland 0

[AS IT HAPPENED: Southampton 1 Sunderland 0]

Summer signing Sofiane Boufal marked his St Mary’s debut with a stunning strike. The club’s record signing, whose introduction to English football had been delayed by injury, curled in a sensational effort to pile on the misery for David Moyes’ Sunderland and secure Saints’ progression.

Quarter-final (November 30) – Arsenal 0 Southampton 2

[AS IT HAPPENED: Arsenal 0 Southampton 2]

Southampton outclassed Arsenal to seal an EFL Cup semi-final berth for the first time in 29 years. Arsene Wenger made 10 changes to his team, but those who came into the starting line-up were found wanting against a Saints side showing eight alterations. The visitors eased through as Jordy Clasie’s first goal for the club was followed up by a smart Ryan Bertrand finish.

Semi-final, first leg (January 11) – Southampton 1 Liverpool 0

[AS IT HAPPENED: Southampton 1 Liverpool 0]

Nathan Redmond’s strike secured a narrow victory that put Claude Puel’s men in the driving seat of their semi-final. The summer signing’s first-half finish was the difference at a packed-out St Mary’s as Liverpool – last season’s EFL Cup runners-up – lost to the side they have raided for key players in recent years.

Semi-final, second leg (January 25) – Liverpool 0 Southampton 1 (Southampton win 2-0 on aggregate)

[AS IT HAPPENED: Liverpool 0 Southampton 1]

Southampton reached their first major final since 2003 to leave Liverpool’s season in danger of unravelling. Despite heavy pressure from the hosts and being without star centre-back Virgil van Dijk, Saints defended stoutly and Shane Long struck in stoppage time to seal the club’s first trip to Wembley since winning the Football League Trophy in 2010.