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Sam Gallagher the hero as Southampton U-21's win Premier League Cup

Sam Gallagher of Southampton celebrates after scoring to make it 2-1 of during the Under 21 Premier League Cup
Image: Sam Gallagher of Southampton celebrates after scoring to make it 2-1 of during the Under 21 Premier League Cup

Sam Gallagher’s mesmerizing winning goal handed 10-man Southampton the Under-21 Premier League Cup with a 2-1 extra-time win over Blackburn.

After drawing 0-0 in the first-leg at Ewood Park, talented striker Ryan Seager put Saints ahead on 52 minutes before an unfortunate own goal from Matt Targett drew Rovers level.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts when Harrison Reed was sent-off on 87 minutes but this young Southampton side reacted brilliantly to going down to 10-men.

Eight academy graduates have appeared for Southampton in the top flight this season and Gallagher, who has made 18 first-team appearances, won the game five minutes into extra-time with a rasping 25-yard strike.

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Southampton won the U21 Premier League Cup Final in extra time thanks to this long range goal from Sam Gallagher.

Ronald Koeman was at St Mary's on Monday, along with a number of first-team players, and he would have been impressed with what he saw from a U-21 side that have a huge reputation for producing young talent.

Theo Walcott, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain, Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw all came through the Saints academy on their way to becoming full England internationals and in the goalscorers Seager and Gallagher, Southampton may have another couple of crown jewels on their hands.

Seager grabbed his 18th goal of the campaign to break some tough Blackburn resistance just after the break. Gallagher found space just outside the area and his shot was deflected into the path of Seager, who showed great composure to find the net from a tight angle.

But Blackburn were never overawed by their more experienced opponents and hit back 13 minutes later.

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Matt Targett scored a painful looking own goal during Southampton's U21 Premier League Cup Final with Blackburn when the ball bounced off his face and into

Bradley Bauress sent over a fizzed cross that took a wicked deflection off Lewis Mansell and right into the face of the unaware Targett, who diverted the ball into the bottom corner.

Roared on by 12,000 fans inside St Mary’s the atmosphere got the better of midfielder Reed, who was sent-off on 87 minutes for a wild lunge on Sam Jones that resulted in a second booking.

It looked a tough ask for the young Saints but in Gallagher they have a player with serious ability and he took it on himself to win his side the game on 95 minutes.

He embarked on a driving run down the right hand flank before playing a neat one-two that drew him inside and handed him a sight of goal. There was still a lot to do as he drew his left foot back from 25 yards but he caught it sweetly and the ball rocketed into the top corner. 

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