Southampton are beaten 6-5 on penalties by Leicester in the Carabao Cup

Manolo Gabbiadini’s missed penalty saw Saints knocked out of the Carabao Cup in a dramatic shootout at Leicester.

The Italian striker, who was brought on right at the end of the game, saw his effort saved by Danny Ward in sudden death after both sides had netted their five regulation spot kicks following a goalless draw.

With Manchester City awaiting the winners in the quarter-finals it perhaps wasn’t a desperate blow to Saints but they left the King Power feeling they had the chances to win it in normal time, and with a grumble about VAR which ruled out a Steven Davis effort.

For Hughes this felt like a team selection with potential changes for the Premier League in mind balanced with trying to rest players in a busy run of games.

After shaky defensive displays he named two centre halves who have been out of action, while Yan Valery got a debut and Michael Obafemi a first start.

Switching to a back five was potentially also driven by trying to keep some experience on the pitch while still resting players for the visit of Manchester United. The knowledge that Saints are so well stocked in the centre half department made playing three the easiest way to do it.

Leicester, who made nine changes, came out of the traps brightly and were putting Saints immediately on the backfoot with crosses in the box and attempted balls over the top for the trio of Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho and Demarai Gray to chase down.

VAR was in action for the game and got an early run out as Mario Lemina was scythed down by a jumping challenge from Danny Simpson but after checks there was no red card.

It took until 20 minutes for the first shot but it was a simple save for Angus Gunn from Christian Fuchs’ low drive from distance.

Saints’ tactics were not altogether different to Leicester’s as they tried to chip the ball over the centre backs to get Obafemi in behind at every opportunity.

The high balls weren’t proving a great success but when they countered on the ground via Nathan Redmond, Obafemi did get the chance to stretch his legs and break into the area but his attempted shot was blocked.

In a game that was certainly not capturing the imagination, Saints created another half chance on 32 minutes as Jannik Vestergaard headed a corner over the bar.

Redmond came close in first half stoppage time but dragged a low shot from 20 yards wide of the post.

The second period didn’t start in a much more entertaining fashion and the nearest either team came to a sight of goal was a Kelechi Iheanacho looped header over the bar on 58 minutes.

Saints were forced into a change on 61 minutes as Matt Targett went down a second time after a head injury with Cedric Soares coming on in the unfamiliar role of left wing back.

They should have taken the lead with a glorious chance just two minutes later.

Redmond produced a superb driving range from deep and a rasping left footed shot that beat Danny Ward but hit the underside of the bar.

The ball bounced out to Obafemi who just had to side foot a half volley into the empty net but from just four yards out he missed the target altogether.

Redmond was starting to find space down the left and a good cross-field ball moments later found Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg who brought it down on his chest and volleyed goalwards but Ward made the save.

As both teams realised one goal would probably be enough Saints thought it was they who had broken the deadlock with eight minutes remaining.

Redmond produced a superb burst between two Leicester players and into the box and managed to scramble the ball into the middle where Steven Davis turned it home.

However, VAR was called upon and disallowed the goal. As Redmond had got into the box the ball had bounced up via a half tackle and struck his arm. It was clearly unintentional but still ruled out with Saints livid.

Manolo Gabbiadini almost won it in stoppage time with a superb free kick which Ward somehow tipped onto the underside of the bar.

However, Gabbiadini had a feeling of deflation to come in the penalty shootout.

Steven Davis, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Nathan Redmond, Jannik Vestergaard and Cedric Soares all scored in the regulation five while Christian Fuchs, Marc Albrighton, Caglar Soyuncu, Demarai Gray and Jamie Vardy ensured it went to sudden death.

Gabbiadini’s spot kick was saved by Ward down to his left and Nampalys Mendy put Leicester through.