Southampton will travel to current Premier League leaders Liverpool for a mouthwatering FA Cup tie after Sekou Mara’s double and a late Che Adams strike saw them advance past Watford in a 3-0 fourth-round replay at St Mary’s.

Mara scored twice in the second half, including a spectacular effort from distance, before Adams capped the result off to book Saints’ place in the last 16 of the competition, as they overcame the Hornets at the second attempt.

Stuart Armstrong’s late equaliser at Vicarage Road ten days previously had set up this encounter, and Russell Martin’s side – now 24 unbeaten – took full advantage of the opportunity.

Martin made seven changes from the team that won at Rotherham a few days earlier, as Joe Lumley, Jack Stephens, Shea Charles, Jayden Meghoma, Joe Rothwell, Tyler Dibling and Mara came into the starting line-up.

Kyle Walker-Peters, Ryan Manning, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Stuart Armstrong and Adam Armstrong made way and began the night on the bench, while Gavin Bazunu and Ryan Fraser were rested.

With Watford also making seven changes and weather conditions far from great as the rain teemed down at St Mary’s, it wasn’t the most fluent start from either team.