Jamie Montigue

Southampton beat Wigan by two goals to nil in Mark Hughes' first game as manager to see the Saints into the semi-final of the FA Cup. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Cédric both scored their first goals for the club, whilst Manolo Gabbiadini had a penalty well-saved. Saints will face Chelsea in the last four at Wembley. Reaction: Mark Hughes: “I was delighted, I have to say. It was a difficult fixture for us against a Wigan side whose manager and staff deserve huge credit for the way they set up and their philosophy of how they want to play. “This year they’ve gone up against other top Premier League clubs and overcome them, so we were the next in line, apparently, but we weren’t prepared to play that game. “We had to match their intensity and endeavour – that’s what lower league teams will always have in abundance. “If you don’t match that, sometimes you can come unstuck, but as a consequence of matching their endeavour, we were able to show the level of quality we

Southampton have appointed Mark Hughes as manager until the end of the season. The 54-year-old has taken charge of almost 450 Premier League games having managed Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers and most recently Stoke City. The new Saints boss said: “It's a challenge I'm excited by. It's a great opportunity to come back to a club I know well, and a club I've got real affinity with, and I couldn't turn that down. "I bring experience of the Premier League. I understand what it takes in this league to win games. But first and foremost I think it's about coming in and maybe being that different voice, that different message from myself and the staff, that will enable the players to recognise and focus on what needs to be done in this key period of the season. "The objective clearly is to remain in the league and make sure we're a Premier League club next year. That's where this club needs to be, that's whe

Southampton have sacked manager Mauricio Pellegrino with the club just one point and one place above the relegation zone. Saints have just one win from their past 17 games and have eight games remaining to try to stay up. Club statement in full: Southampton Football Club can today confirm that it has parted company with First Team Manager Mauricio Pellegrino. Assistant Manager Carlos Compagnucci and Assistant First Team Coach Xavier Tamarit have also parted company with the club.  We would like to place on record our thanks to Mauricio, Carlos and Xavier for their efforts during their time with Southampton, and wish them well for the future.  The club will look to appoint a new management team as soon as possible, with the search for a replacement already underway. ----- Reaction: Former Southampton defender Francis Benali on BBC Radio 5 live: "It is something that has been bubbling away and has been talked about by Southampton fans for a while.  &q

Southampton were held to a frustrating goalless draw against Stoke at St. Marys. Josh Sims made his first start of the season for Saints. Reaction: Josh Sims: “Mixed emotions really, for me personally I'm happy to be back in the starting XI. It's a real shame we couldn't get the result. “Everyone will agree that first half we weren't good enough, the tempo wasn't there and we were sloppy. But it was completely different in the second half, we were pressing high and were faster on and off the ball. “We created a lot of opportunities, and it's a shame we didn't do that from the start. We've got another game coming up [against Newcastle] that we're going to have to correct things. “We should have scored, considering the amount of opportunities we had, so we have to take that into the next game and change that feeling of disappointment into positives.” ----- Mauricio Pellegrino: “Obviously we are disappointed because in the second half we d