Southampton beat Watford to set up Liverpool tie

Sekou Mara’s double strike helped Southampton to a comfortable FA Cup replay win against Watford to land them a trip to play Liverpool at Anfield.

Che Adams added a third to dispel any doubt in a game in which both managers made seven changes with promotion from the Championship being their priority.

Saints’ club record-breaking unbeaten run – which stretches to 24 in all competitions – has moved them to second place in the Championship and into the last 16 of the cup.

The previous three meetings between these two teams had all ended in draws and it looked like this one was heading the same way as the changes disrupted the rhythm of both teams.

Ismael Kone came closest to breaking the stalest of stalemates, as Watford had five-on-four in a quick counter-attack, but his shot deflected off a defender’s thigh and bounced off the bar.

Mara, hopeful of landing a place in France’s Olympic team next summer, created Saints’ best chance of the opening 45 minutes, finding Adams in space, but Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann thrust out a foot to block the striker’s shot.

Mara took matters into his own hands in the 53rd minute as Southampton pieced together a trademark slick move.

Bournemouth loanee Joe Rothwell picked out Adams on the edge of the box and his touch round the corner freed Mara, who clinically found the far corner to break the deadlock.

Three minutes later he bettered that finish after Saints had surged onto the counter-attack, led by 17-year-old Tyler Dibling from his own half. His strong run scattered the Watford defence, he then fed Adams and when he moved the ball on to Mara, he crashed an unstoppable 20-yard shot past Bachmann.

After his two assists, Adams scored his own 10th goal of the season, making a near-post run to meet Rothwell’s whipped free kick, and guiding the ball into the Watford net to ensure the trip to Anfield.