Tonda Eckert proud after youthful Southampton beat Leicester in FA Cup

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert was full of pride after his youthful team beat Leicester 2-1 in extra time in an all-Championship FA Cup tie.

James Bree came off the bench to head the winner after Oliver Skipp’s overhead kick had cancelled out Cyle Larin’s first-half penalty and Saints ended the game with five academy products on the pitch.

Eckert said: “I think it was a deserved win and a big one for the club to finish the match with so many young players.

“It shows what the club stands for with so much quality coming from the academy.

“The young players were excellent and it was a proud day for the football club.

“I worked with them in the academy and know how good they are. We have to give them a stage every now and again and they really showed their quality.

“We have a really good squad and have many different ways to win football games and I think it is going in the right direction.”

Southampton were gifted the lead on the stroke of half-time as Samuel Edozie won the ball on the edge of the area and drew a clumsy foul by Caleb Okoli, giving Larin the chance to fire home from the spot.

Skipp levelled seven minutes into the second half with a brilliant overhead kick from six yards after Saints had been caught sleeping at a corner.

Divine Mukasa should have won it for Leicester in stoppage time but put a free header from Harry Winks’ corner over while another corner was cleared off the line.

Bree then headed a 109th-minute winner.

Leicester caretaker boss Andy King admitted he was still in the dark over the club’s search for a permanent manager.

King was pleased how his players responded to losing 4-3 in the league to Southampton in midweek from 3-0 up.

He said: “I think we were unlucky. There was some good stuff and I was really pleased in the main. It was just a few key moments that cost us.

“Off the back of a disappointing and angry night on Tuesday, to come here and play like that was pleasing.

“We got killed by a penalty and a set play. We have to be stronger.”

On his own future, King said: “I am not looking too far ahead, just looking at the short-term to try and keep the team positive. I don’t decide who is going to be manager for the next game.”