The Saints had opened up a two-goal lead in the first half when Taylor Harwood-Bellis rose highest in the box to head home from Matheus Fernandes' corner and Adam Armstrong converted a penalty after Jaden Dixon caught Yukinari Sugawara in the box.

Russell Martin did not stick to his pre match promise of playing his best available side and made 6 changes to his starting outfield 10, after a promising start, the game faded into a familiar pattern.

A late strike by James Bree meant Stoke were knocked out of the Carabao Cup, as Southampton progress into the quarter-finals.