David Moyes was sent off late on as Sunderland were narrowly defeated at Southampton in the EFL Cup.
A dire first half ended level, with neither side creating many chances. Wahbi Khazri was particularly disappointing, continuously misplacing passes. He was booked on the verge of half-time after giving away a needless free kick in frustration.
Southampton’s record signing Sofiane Boufal broke the deadlock in the 68th minute. After getting away from Billy Jones, the Moroccan international curled a wonder goal into the top right corner from the left-hand edge of the penalty area. Jordan Pickford – who kept his place despite this being a cup match – was helpless.
Duncan Watmore, Didier Ndong and Patrick van Aanholt all spurned chances to level the match. Jermain Defoe came off the bench with just over quarter of an hour to go, but he could not save Sunderland from yet another defeat.
After some great counter attacking play, Victor Anichebe seemed to be pushed in the penalty area in the 90th minute – but Sunderland’s penalty claims were waved away to the fury of manager David Moyes. Referee Chris Kavanagh was called over by the fourth official and duly sent the Scotsman to the stands. The manager admitted after the game that he swore at the officials for not awarding the penalty.
Moyes could receive a charge from the FA for his actions, but a touchline ban is unlikely to be applied before Saturday’s game at home to Arsenal.
Southampton Starting XI: McCarthy, Yoshida, Fonte (c), Reed (Clasie, 82′), McQueen, Hojbjerg, Stephens, Isgrove (Redmond, 72′), Boufal, Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez (Olomola, 26′)
Southampton Substitutes: Lewis, Martina, Van Dijk, Clasie, Redmond, Olomola, Austin
Sunderland Starting XI: Pickford, Jones, Djilobodji, Kone (c), van Aanholt, McNair (Pienaar, 87′), Rodwell, Ndong, Khazri (Defoe, 72′), Watmore (Gooch, 87′), Anichebe
Sunderland Substitutes: Mika, Manquillo, Love, O’Shea, Pienaar, Gooch, Defoe
Bookings: Khazri (45+2′, Foul Play), Olomola (61′, Foul Play), Jones (64′, Foul Play), Ndong (90+4′, Foul Play)
Attendance: 21,460
Referee: Christopher Kavanagh
