CRYSTAL PALACE keeper Vicente Guaita suffered a nightmare moment as he gifted Adam Armstrong an FA Cup third-round winner for Southampton.
Saints ran out 2-1 victors at Selhurst Park as Patrick Vieira’s hopes of silverware this season evaporated on Saturday afternoon.
And the Arsenal legend will be furious with the way the deciding goal came about.
With the score at 1-1 midway through the second half, Palace shot-stopper Guaita attempted to clear the ball from outside his area, but was charged down by Armstrong.
The Southampton forward managed to block the clearance and bring the ball under control before slotting into an empty net.
And it left Guaita thoroughly embarrassed as the hapless moment ultimately cost his side.
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Armstrong’s goal handed Nathan Jones a first victory as manager of the south-coast outfit as they came behind to close out the win.
Odsonne Edouard gave Palace the lead in the 14th minute when he raced through to slot under Gavin Bazuna.
James Ward-Prowse then levelled eight minutes before half-time when his wide free-kick evaded everyone in the box and beat Guaita at the far post.
And Armstrong then capitalised on a keeping blunder to clinch Saints a place in the fourth-round.
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It was a much-needed win for Southampton – who have lost all four Premier League games since he took over from Ralph Hasenhuttl.
They currently sit bottom of the table with just 12 points from their opening 18 games.
Next up for Southampton is a trip to fellow strugglers Everton, while Crystal Palace go to out-of-form Chelsea.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
