Southampton downed a spirited Wigan Athletic to reach the Emirates FA Cup semi-final for the first time in 15 years.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg struck just past the hour mark before Cedric Soares netted in added time to ensure four-time Emirates FA Cup winner Mark Hughes got his Southampton tenure off to the perfect start.
The scoreline could have been even better for the Saints but Manolo Gabbiadini’s penalty was superbly kept out by Christian Walton.
Wigan were aiming to knock out a fourth Premier League side in their magical Cup run - having already downed Bournemouth, West Ham and Manchester City - and started on the front foot at the DW Stadium.And the hosts should have been in front on 16 minutes when Nathan Byrne’s deflected shot drifted through Southampton's six-yard box and just past the outstretched boot of Cheyenee Dunkley.
The Saints went into the tie having scored once in their last four league games and found chances few and far between - a tame effort from Mario Lemina the closest the visitors came in the first half.
Wigan, meanwhile, were showing plenty of attacking intent as Max Power’s swirling cross almost caught out Alex McCarthy in the Southampton net four minutes before the break.
The Latics had 10 corners in the first half but failed to make the most of their pressure – Gary Roberts heading over the bar when finding space inside the box.
Southampton’s first chance came on 57 minutes as Byrne’s back pass went straight into the path of Manolo Gabbiadini but the Italian couldn’t find a way past Walton, who thwarted the forward.
The Saints were turning the screw and soon found their rewards as Højbjerg latched onto a Dusan Tadic corner to fire past Walton.
The visitors sensed a chance to see off their League One opponents and had the perfect opportunity to do so when Dan Burn felled Gabbiadini after the forward had been played through by Nathan Redmond.
But his powerful penalty was kept out by the strong left hand of Walton to keep the hosts in the contest with 17 minutes to play.
Wigan threw plenty of bodies forward in added time but following a Latics corner, Soares broke down the other end and coolly slotted past Walton to round of the victory and a place at Wembley.
