Premier League Cup 2026/27: Southampton U21s beat Blackburn 4-0

Southampton Under-21s began the 2026/27 season with a 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League Cup at the Silverlake Stadium on Friday. Princewill Ehibhatiomhan scored three times before half-time, while Sufianu Sillah Dibaga added a fourth after the interval.

Southampton needed only 11 minutes to take control. Calum Anderson won possession in Blackburn’s half and reached the byline before cutting the ball back for Ehibhatiomhan, who finished with his left foot. Moses Sesay then went close with a low attempt that Blackburn goalkeeper Finley Taylor pushed away.

The second goal arrived shortly after the half-hour mark. Aston Daley carried the ball forward from halfway and released Ehibhatiomhan, who struck a low shot across Taylor from a tight angle. The forward completed his hat-trick before the break after Joachim Kayi Sanda headed a corner back towards Nat Boot. Boot’s effort was saved, but Ehibhatiomhan reacted first to score from close range.

Southampton continued to create opportunities after the restart and extended their advantage in the 57th minute. Harry Gathercole and Korban McMullan combined to open Blackburn’s defence, with McMullan finding Ehibhatiomhan inside the area. Taylor stopped the initial shot, but could not prevent Sillah Dibaga from converting the rebound.

Blackburn’s difficult evening ended with a dismissal in the final minute of normal time. Michael Decandia pulled back Gathercole and received a second yellow card, leaving the visitors with 10 players. The red card came after the result was effectively settled, with Southampton having controlled the contest from the opening stages.

The win gives Adam Lallana’s side a strong opening result in the Premier League Cup and continues the progress of Ehibhatiomhan and Sillah Dibaga, who were among Southampton’s notable performers last season. Southampton next face Truro City in the National League Cup on Tuesday before visiting West Ham for their Premier League 2 opener on 21 August.