Southampton continued their fine home form on Wednesday night, beating West Ham 3-1 to reach the FA Cup quarter finals.
Ralph Hasenhuttl made nine changes to the side that beat Norwich City last Friday and Saints were understandably disjointed in the opening exchanges. West Ham took advantage and might have made it 1-0 if Jarrod Bowen had managed to get over Michail Antonio's cross, or Tomas Soucek had guided his effort the right side of the post in the opening exchanges.
Southampton grew into things as the first half wore on though, with Will Smallbone playing a delicious ball into the path of Adam Armstrong who fired well over the bar.
Minutes later Saints did open the scoring with Perraud netting his first goal for the club in scintillating fashion. Picking the ball up from deep, the Frenchman took one touch before unleashing an unstoppable effort that left Alphonse Areola with no chance.
After the break West Ham pressed for an equaliser and after some near misses they were gifted one. Stand-in goalkeeper Willy Caballero flapped at a corner and Antonio was there to sweep home on the hour mark.
Fortunately for Saints, they were not behind for long. Substitute Armando Broja darted in behind the defence and raced into the penalty area, where he was brought down by Craig Dawson. After a VAR check Andre Marriner gave a penalty and James Ward-Prowse made no mistake from 12 yards to make it 2-1.
Unlike in the previous round against Kidderminster there would be no late rally from the Hammers. Penalty-villain Dawson had their only meaningful chance before full-time, placing a header too close to Caballero, who made a good stop.
In second-half stoppage time Broja then capped off an excellent night for his side, jinking through the defence before rolling the ball into the bottom corner to send his side into the last eight of the FA Cup.
Here are your playing ratings from St Mary's...
Southampton player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Willy Caballero (GK) - 4/10 - Oh dear, oh dear. Dropped a real clanger to let West Ham back into the game. Redeemed himself somewhat with a decent stop at the end.
Kyle Walker-Peters (RB) - 5/10 - A bit shaky defensively at times with Fornals causing real problems. Taken off for Livramento
Yann Valery (CB) - 6/10 - Looked suspect early on, rushing a lot of his passes. Grew into proceedings though, standing firm in the second period.
Jack Stephens (CB) - 7/10 - Positioning was a bit all over the place in the first half. Like his partner, looked more relaxed and even began to thrive as things went on.
Romain Perraud (LB) - 8/10 - Started the game with some rustiness to shake off. Announced his arrival with a strike that will surely win goal of the round, if not goal of the competition.
2. Midfielders
James Ward-Prowse (CM) - 7/10 - Not his usual influential self on the ball but did score the vital spot kick.
Ibrahima Diallo (CM) - 5/10 - Pretty unassured in his passing. However, kept his discipline well out of possession, making it hard for West Ham to play into midfield.
Moussa Djenepo (AM) - 5/10 - A bundle of chaotic, nervous energy on his return to the first team. Sometimes this was an advantage, sometimes it wasn't.
Will Smallbone (AM) - 7/10 - Surprisingly effective. Popped up in some dangerous areas and carved out a few chances.
3. Forwards
Adam Armstrong (ST) - 5/10 - Some excellent movement but his execution and decision making in the final third was so frustrating.
Shane Long (ST) - 6/10 - Put himself about and drew a few fouls. Subbed at half time for Broja.
4. Substitutes
Armando Broja (ST) - 9/10 - Caused West Ham issues with his pace. Won the spot kick and then netted the clincher.
Stuart Armstrong (AM) - 6/10 - Lots of hustle and bustle as usual.
Tino Livramento (RB) - 6/10 - Helped Saints see out the win.
Nathan Redmond (AM) - N/A
Oriol Romeu (CM) - N/A
West Ham player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Alphonse Areola (GK) - 5/10 - Didn't save the penalty and had no chance with Perraud's goal. Little to do other than that.
Craig Dawson (CB) - 3/10 - So poor for the penalty. What was he doing two yards behind the defensive line in the first place?
Kurt Zouma (CB) - 4/10 - Let a great headed chance go begging. Defended okay for the most part before getting punked by Broja in stoppage time.
Issa Diop (CB) - 6/10 - The Hammers' best defender. Distributed well and made a string of tackles.
6. Wing-backs & midfielders
Ben Johnson (RWB) - 5/10 - Defended solidly and good in the air. Lacked inspiration when he crossed the halfway line.
Tomas Soucek (CM) - 4/10 - Disappointing in the first half. He failed to impact things before being subbed after suffering a cut early in the second half.
Declan Rice (CM) - 6/10 - Tried to get his team going all night with brave midfield play.
Pablo Fornals (LWB) - 6/10 - Really like him as a wing-back. Was West Ham's brightest spark by some margin early on. Faded in the second half.
7. Forwards
Jarrod Bowen (RW) - 4/10 - Missed a presentable opportunity early on. Quiet thereafter.
Michail Antonio (ST) - 6/10 - Looked ropey for large portions of this one. Was in the right place at the right time to score.
Manuel Lanzini (LW) - 5/10 - Tried to get West Ham ticking by picking the ball up between the lines. Might have been better off darting in behind.
8. Substitutes
Said Benrahma (CM) - 5/10 - Did not have much of an impact. Form is a worry now.
Nikola Vlasic (LWB) - 6/10
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Source : 90min