Southampton 2-1 Arsenal

What a glorious afternoon at St Mary’s! Southampton produced one of those FA Cup performances that reminds you why this competition still matters, as Tonda Eckert’s Championship hopefuls dumped Premier League leaders Arsenal out of the quarter-finals with a dramatic 2-1 victory.

Sporting their commemorative yellow kit to mark the 50th anniversary of Lawrie McMenemy’s famous 1976 triumph, the Saints channelled the spirit of that legendary side. From the first whistle, there was an electricity around the ground that seemed to bypass the form book entirely.

The first half was end-to-end with chances at both ends. Léo Scienza saw an early penalty shout ignored, and 16-year-old Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman was denied by some desperate defending. But it was Southampton who struck first in the 35th minute. Martin Ødegaard’s backheel was intercepted deep in Arsenal territory, and Scienza cut across the field before finding James Bree. The right back had all the time in the world to clip a cross to the far post, which Ben White misjudged badly. Ross Stewart brought it down expertly and rifled home to spark pandemonium.

Arsenal came alive after the break. Mikel Arteta’s injury-disrupted side piled on the pressure, and Viktor Gyökeres levelled in the 67th minute to silence the home crowd momentarily. The Premier League leaders looked poised to push on for the winner.

But this is Southampton, and this is the FA Cup. With six minutes remaining, substitute Shea Charles — a late arrival from the bench — latched onto a loose ball and fired home the winner that sends Saints to Wembley. Cue absolute bedlam in the stands and on the pitch.

It was just a fifth defeat of the entire campaign for Arsenal, who arrived as overwhelming favourites. But football doesn’t read the script. Instead, it’s Southampton who will contest a semi-final at Wembley later this month, dreaming of replicating that 1976 glory.

The Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City stung. This one might sting more. For Saints, though? Pure magic.