Bournemouth vs Southampton. The FA Cup Quarter-Final.
Vitality Stadium.
Match report as Nathan Redmond double and Moussa Djenepo strike sends Southampton into FA Cup semi-finals; Saints into last four for only the second time in 18 seasons; Bournemouth outclassed and denied maiden semi-final appearance
Saturday 20 March 2021 22:01, UK
Nathan Redmond scored two and set up another as Southampton cruised into the FA Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 quarter-final victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Redmond set up Moussa Djenepo for Southampton's opener on 37 minutes and doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time with a stunning solo run and finish into the top corner.
After having an early own goal from Bournemouth defender Cameron Carter-Vickers ruled out by VAR, Southampton were denied again early in the second half when Che Adams' venomous strike was chalked off for offside.
But Redmond hammered home Saints' dominance shortly before the hour mark with a clinical second after the impressive Stuart Armstrong had struck the post, as Ralph Hasenhuttl's side escaped their challenging Premier League campaign to book a place at Wembley in style.
Southampton made the brighter start and looked to have made the breakthrough inside 10 minutes.
Kyle Walker-Peters latched onto Jan Bednarek's wonderful floated ball and drilled a teasing cross into the Bournemouth area which Carter-Vickers turned into his own net on the stretch, but the centre-back's blushes were spared when VAR found the Saints full-back had strayed offside.
Bournemouth steadily grew into the game, with Arnaut Danjuma threatening down the left and Rodrigo Riquelme passing up two opportunities on goal, but the Cherries failed to make their best spell of the game count and were undone twice before the break.
Redmond carried the ball from halfway before a perfect side-rule pass released Djenepo down the left channel, where the midfielder curled a composed finish beyond Asmir Begovic.
Reaching the break without conceding another was imperative for Bournemouth's chances but they were hit again in the dying seconds of the half, and Redmond was front and centre once more.
Armstrong's flick on from a throw-in released Redmond through one versus one against Steve Cook and his pace and poise bewildered the Bournemouth captain, leaving him on the ground as he rifled a stunning effort into the top corner.
Bournemouth need to score first to have any chance of reviving their floundering cup campaign but Southampton were in no mood to surrender their advance and powered on into an insurmountable lead.
After Adams' brilliant low effort was ruled out by VAR, Southampton put the victory beyond doubt when Redmond stroked an unerring finish into the far corner second after Armstrong had rattled the post.
With the game over as a contest, Armstrong drew Begovic into a save a full stretch before Redmond could have completed his hat-trick when he whistled a shot inches wide.
Danjuma and substitute Sam Surridge forced Fraser Forster into late saves, but it proved too little, too late for Bournemouth as Southampton marched through to Wembley.
Bournemouth manager Jonathan Woodgate: "They were a Premier League team and we were never expected to win the game. They were better on the day, more clinical in both boxes.
"I'm gutted we've gone out; it would have been a bonus if we'd have got to a semi-final, but the objective this season is to get into the play-offs and get promotion.
"We've got nine massive games to come, so this game will be put to bed, and we move on."
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl: "It was a very lively performance from our side. We had a good week, to be honest.
"The mindset was important today. We immediately showed what we wanted to do and what we wanted to achieve today, and I could feel the whole week with a few good, hard sessions that the guys were focused
"[Nathan] Redmond has had a difficult year so far with his performances and with the injuries he's had, and I'm hoping this game gives him so much lift that he now shows more often what quality he has."
Nathan Redmond has been directly involved in three goals in a single game in all competitions for the first time since May 2015, when he registered a goal and two assists for Norwich against Fulham in the Championship.
Bournemouth host Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship on Good Friday at 3pm, before Southampton host Burnley on Easter Sunday at 12pm - live on Sky Sports Premier League.
