Mateus Fernandes scored as he made his first start of the season for Saints
Mateus Fernandes scored the only goal of the game as Southampton beat Northampton Town in the Carabao Cup first round.
After a goalless first half in which the Cobblers had chances to take the lead, Fernandes - who has been linked with a £30m move to West Ham - was able to find the moment of quality to send Saints through.
Southampton started the game with a strong but rotated side from their Championship opener, although minutes before kick-off Ross Stewart was withdrawn due to illness with Ben Brereton Diaz replacing him in the line-up.
The first chance of the game fell for the home side as Cameron McGeehan struck low down to the left of Saints keeper Alex McCarthy who produced a smart stop to keep the game level.
Moments later, a Cobblers free-kick out wide was spilled by McCarthy into a crowd of players, with Jordan Willis twisting his body as he struck the ball goalbound but Taylor Harwood-Bellis was on hand to make a crucial goalline intervention.
Saints came close themselves just before the end of the first half as Brereton Diaz squared the ball to Damion Downs in the box but the American striker mistimed his shot and Northampton ended up clearing the danger.
Southampton took the lead early in the second period as Cameron Archer broke forward and cut inside before passing the ball to Fernandes, who took a touch before firing into the roof of the net.
Despite failing to get on the scoresheet, Northampton had a number of chances, registering 15 shots and one more shot on target than Saints.
But the one moment of quality by Portuguese midfielder Fernandes made the difference and sent Will Still's side through to the next round of the EFL Cup.
Post-match reaction
Will Still speaking to BBC Radio Solent
Kevin Nolan speaking to BBC Radio Northampton
