Tuesday, 30 August 2011

Di Canio row marrs Saints' Carling Cup win

Swindon Town 1-3 Southampton

Southampton eased to victory in the Carling Cup as they brushed aside a disappointing Swindon side. First half goals from Guly do Prado and Jonathan Forte gave the visitors an early lead, and despite a late scare - Ricky Lambert's strike sealed Saints' passage into the third round.

Paolo Di Canio is no stranger to controversy, and the Swindon boss' latest tussle took place after the final whistle as he was seen grappling with Swindon striker Leon Clarke.

The Italian appeared to be trying to diffuse an argument between Clarke and coach
Claudio Donatelli. Di Canio grabbed Clarke around the back of his neck and seemingly wouldn't let go. The pair continued their scuffle as they moved down the tunnel, with Clarke left very upset by the ordeal.

It was a poor performance from Swindon, who couldn't repeat a 3-0 victory over Saints in last season's Johnstone's Painty Trophy.

Nigel Atkins made five changes to the side that lost to Leicester on Saturday, but Southampton looked very comfortable in the first half. It didn't take the Championship outfit long to open the scoring. A great ball in from Lee Holmes was headed home by Guly with sixteen minutes on the clock.

The Robbins were struggling to test Bartosz BiaƂkowski
and an upset looked even less likely when Swindon goalkeeper Phil Smith made a hash of a tame effort from Jonathan Forte, who doubled Saints' lead.

Swindon didn't really threaten until after the break as Southampton sat back. A perfectly struck free-kick from Mehdi Kerrouche gave the home side hope with five minutes left on the clock. However, Saints substitute Rickie Lambert slid the ball home in injury time to seal the win for his side.

Southampton will play either Charlton Athletic or Preston at St Mary's in the next round.

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