Jose's verdict on Southampton

Jose Mourinho left St Mary’s not exactly thrilled at the prospect of another game added to the schedule, but happy to be alive in the FA Cup.

We looked set for victory after Heung-Min Son’s 58th-minute strike only for Southampton to force a replay with an equaliser from substitute Sofiane Boufal with only three minutes remaining.

That means we’ll do it all again in a replay at the new stadium on Wednesday 5 February (kick-off TBC). Before then, both teams will go into the fifth round draw on Monday evening (BBC1, 7.20pm).

It was a classic FA Cup tie, open, end-to-end, plenty of chances. We had the better of the first half and had a goal disallowed. Sonny provided a clinical finish to Giovani Lo Celso’s brilliant run to open the scoring, but Southampton kept going and reaped their reward late on.

“We did good things,” said Jose. “It is a result that keeps us alive, that keeps us in the draw.

“We had big chances in the first half, didn't score, scored in the second half and after that, we had the space to kill the game, but we don’t have the fresh legs to do it. Giovani, Lucas, Sonny - the last 15 minutes were difficult for them.

“Southampton kept that intensity for the 90 minutes, and we didn't manage to kill the game.

“It's not a drama for us. It's not good that we have to play one more match, of course that’s not good, but it is better to play than not to play. We are in the competition.

“We had here today fantastic support from our fans. I think there will be 50-something thousand in our match at home, supporting us like they did against Middlesbrough. We are going in a difficult way. The draw is always difficult, always takes us away, but both opportunities to play at home in the replays, so let’s have a go.”

Jose was asked about Giovani’s contribution, and added: “He’s playing very well, very well. By the needs of the team I started him more on the wing because Lamela… people sometimes, they don’t realise the efforts that players make. Lamela, from a long time without playing, he’s tired, he has pains from his previous injuries, so he couldn’t start today.

“I started Giovani there, but then when I brought him inside, we started to control the game. He started giving us more ball, more ways out from the pressure and it was fantastic what he did. Of course, we’re very pleased for him.”