This is the type of occasion that you dream of and pray happens more than once every 14 years or so, I wouldn't have missed it for the World.

Why some Saints fans would decide not to go to a semi final because they feel that the team is not entertaining totally baffles me, that was the case for this fixture up on a cold Merseyside.

Most football fans support their teams through thick and thin and that means for the majority of team through mainly thin, moments of glory are all too rare, but last night was pure magic and right up there with any other game I have attended in 45 years of going to Saints matches, I would not have missed it for the World.

This evening had every emotion in the book throughout the 90 minutes, the tension was at times unbearable as Liverpool poured forward and we surged at them on the break and then all that pent up pressure was released as Shane Long sent the visiting supporters into ecstasy with an injury time winner that finally put the tie to bed and poured cold water on any Liverpool hopes that they might recue the tie at the death.

It looked like it was going to be a lost cause for Saints when Virgil Van Dijk failed to pass muster, but it seems in the last week adversity has pulled the squad closer and raised the team spirit, those who thought Claude Puel had lost the dressing room had those ideas knocked back as every member of the squad who got on the pitch, ran chased harried and gave the proverbial 110%.

It was not pretty to watch but then again semi finals rarely are with teams so near and yet so far from Wembley, but it was about winning the tie and getting to the final, the 3,500 who travelled did not go to be entertained they went to support their team and be there for what would hopefully turn out to be a very special moment and it did.

I cannot remember much about the game or individual sections of play such was the tension, but then life seemed to go into slow motion as Josh Sims got the ball and ran and cut inside and suddenly the game had opened out the Liverpool defence were caught flat footed and then a slide rule pass to Shane Long left him clear on goal, the net bulged and then sheer madness.

This was a feeling that I can honestly say I have rarely experienced in 45 years and probably somewhere approaching 2,000 games, perhaps half a dozen times at most have I felt such joy and emotion and there were 3,500 others there with me to share it.

Some perhaps for the first time and some who have been on virtually the same roller coaster as myself over the same time period.

It was a special night and now it is going to be a special four weeks as we look forward to our first trip to Wembley for a major final in 38 years.

Matthew Street in Liverpool was the place that put the Beatles on the map, last night it was Saints fans making all the noise in the clubs and pubs on that famous thoroughfare.

So thank you to every player who played their part last night and in other games, two weeks ago you would have thought that Saints were bottom of the league and favourites for relegation, but now four wins out of five have suddenly turned this season into potentially our best since 1976 and you never know perhaps the best in our history.

We March ON !!!

Photo: Action Images

davepid added 18:13 - Jan 26 Messrs Lalana, lovren, Clyne and Mane : you picked the wrong team.
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the_saint added 18:24 - Jan 26 Even taking over an hour to get out of Liverpool bloody roadworks and it was well worth it, Respect to Liverpool supporters who were coming over and shaking our hands over the cordoned off seat section and wishing us all the best for final. And on a final note you got it right a couple of weeks ago nick stop over rotating select your best team and stick with it. Well done puel and our beloved saints

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pintsizedsaint added 18:26 - Jan 26 What a result! We rode our luck a little towards the end, but it was a well deserved victory over two legs. To not concede a single goal (against premier league oppo) in the entire tournament is also some achievement. Lots of contenders for MOTM: Redmond literally terrorised the young right back and Matip. Stephens was immense - and his tackle on Origi was nothing but excellent. Sims burst of pace and pass for Long's lovely strike was also something to behold. Romeu, Yoshida - everybody played superb. But my Man of the Moment has to be Puel. As all the analysts said, Southampton out performed Liverpool in every sense: tactics, organisation, discipline, formation. Puel's counter attacking set up worked like a dream. Yes it might get a bit edgy, but it worked. Liverpool ran out of ideas. Puel has had to put up with a lot of stick, but already - in his first 6 months in charge - is has arguably placed himself on a par with the achievements of Pochettino and Koeman. If he wins the Cup (and it is very much possible) then he will become a legend. In his first year at the club! So, compared to this time last night, we're in the final of the EFL cup, fans are going to wembley, we are close to buying an Italian Striker (and possibly defender) and it looks like we are going to get a shed load of Chinese Investment (from a firm who specialise in Stadium construction no less)! We also have a team many believe is full of top talent and a manager who is tactically adept. What a difference a day makes.

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highfield49 added 18:41 - Jan 26 I sincerely hope that is the last we hear of the anti-Puel moaners. Of course we've had our ups and downs so far this season and I'm not pretending that doubts haven't crept in on occasions but the joy on his face when Long scored late on told me exactly what this guy is about. As has been said already the players, including VVD, are clearly 100% behind this man. The future of the club looks fantastic today, new investment, squad additions, long term contracts in place and a very positive statement from the owner. Win at Wembley and back into Europe, all to play for, and certainly on this form the only way is up.

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hmmm added 18:42 - Jan 26 Classic Nick. One of the great nights in our history, and you still have to start off with some negative remarks.
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SanMarco added 18:58 - Jan 26 It was a marvellous night - 80 odd minutes of hell followed by 10 of slowly starting to believe and then a goal that for me is up there with Stokes and with Moran at Pompey. The simple truth is that Puel has got us to Wembley and only two other Saints managers have done that (alright Cardiff for Strachan). Managers carry the can when its not so good and they take the plaudits on occasions like this. I was a Puel doubter but whatever he does from now on he has achieved something (something that MoPo and Koeman, for all their high opinions of themselves didn't). My only regret last night was that there weren't more ex-Saints wearing the red. Oh and pintsized - Haven't we already got a stadium?

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pintsizedsaint added 19:14 - Jan 26 San Marco - i suspect they do Stadium extensions too...!
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heroholmes1 added 19:15 - Jan 26 Agreed SanMarco the belief grew and grew from 80mins. I love the fact that20/30/40 years down the line Saints fans will still be re-calling and tlking about their memories and what did / didn't happen on the night. The sheer joy, relief and estsasy that Shane long's goal brought was something I will remember for ever. To top it all back in the Hotel bar met a boy of about 10 who was clutching Long's match shirt he and his Dad explained how Long had made a beeline for him to give his shirt away. He might not be the worlds best player but he's class.

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densham41 added 19:21 - Jan 26 Last night is why I love Southampton football club. Nick you summed up the emotion of the night beautifully. Time stood still went that goal went in and then exploded with emotion. You can't buy that feeling, a feeling shared with 3500 Saints fans. I bloody love football and I bloody love Southampton Football Club. One of the best nights of my life. Yep you guessed it I'm still smiling.

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corkcitysaint added 19:30 - Jan 26 Miracles can and do happen !! We had 11 + heroes running around the pitch last night.Have been strutting around like a peacock today! To beat the 'pool on their own turf in a semi is an amazing feat giving our form this season. Our fans were in fantastic voice last night and I don't think I've seen Anfield empty so quickly in years. A special mention to Romeau, Stephens and Yoshida who I thought were a strong core last night. Tactically, I thought it was spot on. We defended so well when we had to, maybe fortunate at times, but on the counter we were quick and always gave them something to think about that they may get caught out. As our goal showed. I must admit my heart was in my mouth a few times and I think I aged a bit too. Especially with Forster flapping.. he did react well to be fair. Credit to the ref too who didn't cave under pressure to give L'pool something. Maybe a weaker one would have awarded a penalty feeling under pressure. I'm really happy for those players that didn't desert us and stuck with us over the last few seasons. Who didn't throw their toys out the pram, just head down and got on with it. Wouldn't it be great if we could now go 1 step further !! C'mon Saints.

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bstokesaint added 20:11 - Jan 26 Love reading all the jubilant comments above. Sorry SanMarco, meant to give you a thumbs up old boy! Struggle on my phone. Biggest positives for me were seeing Puel out-think Klopp and get recognition for an incredible cup run, seeing Redmond do what I've always believed he could do (terrorise defenders with his running), brilliant defending from the makeshift back two (Yoshi mentioned yet again) and Shane doing what he does best and getting his reward. There were many other highlights, Forster's amazing reactions (following his blunder), lots of hard work from the midfield midddle men and a perfect assist from young Simms. If we can play like that in the final too, I think it'll be a coin flip.

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DPeps added 20:13 - Jan 26 Amazing stuff. It's been an odd season, but I think Puel is now making his mark. Great team performance across the two legs. Just a word on Yoshida. He is getting better all the time. I think being around VVD has massively improved his game
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smiffdub added 20:45 - Jan 26 Happy as I am, and impressed as I am by that performance by the players, I think some of the commentary about Puel is a bit over-exuberant and definitely premature. I still maintain he's basically a gambler....in most games he starts out looking for 0-0 and gambles that he'll win his share by the odd goal. Last night he set the stall for another 0-0 and he rode his luck. Most intelligent gamblers have the occasional big win, but most tend to lose more than they win. That said, the 0-0 strategy was a feasible choice for this game, where 0-0 meant winning. The players were committed and determined and that was the difference between the dross we've been watching lately and this game. Kudos to the players; still holding back judgment on Puel

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arthurfane added 21:22 - Jan 26 I would have loved to go Nick, but a.) couldn't get the time off work, and b.) can't really afford the trip up to Merseyside. Doesn't make me any less of a fan - celebrated deliriously in the pub with mates. Was a brilliant night and am so proud of the boys, but don't demean me and others in my situation with your 'fans aren't going because they're not entertained' rubbish. Can't wait for Wembley!

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aceofthebase added 22:16 - Jan 26 I live off a pension and late night away games is not what I am about. BUT Nick don't you dare call me a non fan.
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A1079 added 23:26 - Jan 26 As a Saints fan Nick and since I was a boy and now in my late 50's you live for moments like last night. I wasn't there, but it was tense to watch, but I admired our performance and our never say die attitude. I love my club, even if at times, I find some of what they do infuriating and sometimes disappointing. But, you support a club like Saints through thick and thin and you know that there will be pain, but you live for moments like last night and they are all the more special because they do not come that often. Equally though, sometime I will criticise and I have this season. I don't think I have been over-critical, and when I do, it is not because I have some narcisstic wish to see Puel or the team fail. I don't. I am though Nick disappointed at your numerous digs at fans. I could not go last night because my son had an event at his College. I would love to have gone and was deeply disappointed, but I will always put my children first over anything else, no matter what the other tugs may be. I am sure other fans have reasons why they cannot make a game, but it does not make them less of a fan. We do not have thousands of plastic fans like some clubs, most of our fans are genuine Saints fans who want to see the club do well, but we all have various commitments. To keep putting Saints fans like me down and seeing us as somewhat less of a fan because we cannot make every game is demeaning. I used to not miss a home or away game. Life and commitments changed some of that but I normally manager a dozen or so games a year. But, I respect what you write and normally your views are balanced and intuitive and lets bask for a while in last night and hope that this is not the height of this season but the start of something special. But, if doesn't, I will still support Saints come what may.

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bstokesaint added 23:55 - Jan 26 I just read Nick's comments to cover all those fans who said they didn't WANT to go games anymore not because their personal circumstances had changed, but because they didn't suppport the manager and his style of play. Let's be honest there have been a few fans saying as much.
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BoondockSaint added 00:07 - Jan 27 Nick, sometimes for a variety of reasons, time, money, distance (all three in my case) not everyone can attend every game. But we still want the Saints to win every game and watch. listen, and check the internet with the same intensity. I don't rate this competition as high as the FA Cup, but I still want the Saints to win every game. Being critical is usually a result of deep passion-remember your posts in the Cortese days? Anyway enough of that! Great win against a team I loathe. In a final against a team some friends and relatives support (and probably the one team of the big six that we have a very good chance of beating). Not to mention MORE MONEY COMING INTO THE CLUB!!! Pretty good day, eh?

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StRipper added 00:48 - Jan 27 I'm kind of glad I didn't go. It may not have looked pretty when you were there, but we looked like poetry in motion on the telly 😀
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SaintPaulVW added 06:06 - Jan 27 Still buzzing, 2 fantastic legs, should have won 6-0 on aggregate, great team performance and a few new faces made their mark. Redmond was excellent when played in his natural position. Hopefully the fans who have supported Saints for forty years but are giving up because of Puel have done the reverse ferret. We're going to need all the support we can get to take on a side on a bit of a roll. We can do it though. Hope VVD makes it back and CA makes it to the bench. COYwembleyboundR!

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TeamCortese added 07:11 - Jan 27 Great result! I've never been so proud to be a saints supporter. We've come a long way and regardless of the result in Wembley we should all be very proud of Southampton FC :)
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SanMarco added 08:06 - Jan 27 I think a great article WAS slightly spoilt by the rather ambiguous dig at fans. Highfield49 talks of 'anti-Puel moaners' but those moaning about anti-Puel moaners are also moaners. The great thing about Weds night was that it brings everyone together. We should leave the moaning for later - something will come up to moan about, it always does. Just to keep up the positivity - Hojburg's run down the left taking the other defender off was a key part of the goal...

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