IF there was ever a game in which the ultimate prize of an unproven manager relieving untold pressure seemed too much to dream of, this was it.

But Nathan Jones and his well-organised and supremely motivated Saints players knocked English champions Manchester City out of the EFL Cup quarter-final.

Stunning goals from Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo in a five-minute first-half burst were enough to see Pep Guardiola’s side off 2-0 in an atmospheric St Mary’s.

It was not nearly a full attendance on the south coast with four consecutive Premier League defeats leaving Jones’s charges bottom of the division and facing a relegation battle.

But following on from the victory at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on Saturday, Saints were able to bring momentum into a mammoth task – while Jones’s selections were all vilified.

Adam Armstrong retained his place after scoring the winner in Jones’s second victory as manager at Crystal Palace on Saturday, but there were five changes.

Those included Ibrahima Diallo, Djenepo and Romeo Lavia coming in while new signing Mislav Orsic was named on the bench and readied for a St Mary’s introduction.

City rested a few stars in Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne but that did not affect Pep Guardiola’s ability to name a cup-winning XI, such is their riches.

Saints supporters were given a lift just 10 minutes after team news was revealed, with the confirmation of Argentine midfielder Carlos Alcaraz’s transfer from Racing Club.

It looked as though the energy transferred to the players as Duje Caleta-Car forced Stefan Ortega into a strong low save while Djenepo terrorised early on.

But Alcaraz might get false ideas from what he saw, as Saints took a fantastic lead over the English champions 23 minutes into the game through Mara.

The atmosphere had been building but James Ward-Prowse opted against shooting from range with Ortega in no-man’s land, leaving Lyanco to pick up a loose ball, drive and cross for the Frenchman’s first-time finish.

Djenepo, who had been playing with the confidence of a lifetime, did not shy away from a shooting opportunity. Celebrations had barely settled with the Malian lobbed Ortega from at least 25 yards to double their lead.

Behind all of the attacking flurry was an assured defence and a slick Romeo Lavia controlling proceedings, as Guardiola’s side went into the break with few chances of their own.

Guardiola responded with a triple-change at the break with Kevin De Bruyne one of the trio, and World Cup-winner Julian Alvarez missed an instant chance to reduce arrears.

The Norwegian goalscoring machine, Haaland, with 27 in all competitions, was not far behind, while Djenepo received warm ovation as he was forced off for Jones’s first change.

The second-half continued to be punctuated by strong Gavin Bazunu claims, smashed Lyanco clearances and smart tactical fouls all over – each generating a bigger roar than the last.

None bigger than when substitute Che Adams converted a rebound from close range for a third, but the linesman’s flag went up. Bazunu was immediately called upon up the other end and delivered.

And Saints supporters got to see their new man for just under 10 minutes, as Orsic was called upon to reinvigorate the press with Adam Armstrong making way.

Saints: Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Djenepo (Perraud, 56), Lavia (Elyounoussi, 61), Diallo, Ward-Prowse; Mara (Adams, 61), A Armstrong (Orsic, 83).

Unused subs: Finnigan, Aribo, Edozie, Morgan, Caballero (g/k).

Booked: Lavia, Diallo.

Man City: Ortega; Cancelo, Walker (Akanji, h-t), Laporte, Gomez (Ake, h-t); Phillips (Rodri, 62), Palmer (De Bruyne, h-t), Gundogan; Foden, Grealish (Grealish, 56), Alvarez.

Unused subs: Lewis, Silva, Mahrez, Ederson (g/k).

Referee: Peter Bankes.

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