WIGAN — Southampton reached the FA Cup semifinals with a 2-0 victory over third tier Wigan Athletic Sunday as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Cedric Soares were on target in manager Mark Hughes' first match in charge.

Hughes was appointed Southampton boss on Wednesday following the sacking of Argentine Mauricio Pellegrino and his side, 18th in the Premier League, struggled in the opening 45 minutes against League One promotion chasers Wigan.

Wigan, which had beaten three Premier League teams in the Cup including Manchester City in the previous round, could not convert its chances, however.

The home side went close in the 15th minute when Nathan Byrne's deflected shot drifted goalward but Cheyenne Dunkley was unable to connect from close range.

Gary Roberts then hooked over the bar from a promising position and Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy had to punch away an inswinging Max Power corner that could have sneaked in the near post.

Yet it was a different story after the break as Southampton came out strongly and its superior quality began to show.

Hojbjerg forced a fine save out of Walton with a powerful header from a corner and then from the resulting corner came the 62nd minute opener.

Hojbjerg made a positive run from deep to convert Dusan Tadic's ball with a side-foot finish for his first goal for the club.

Southampton had a chance to wrap up the tie when it was given a penalty with 18 minutes remaining but Manolo Gabbiadini's spot kick, awarded after he had been brought down by Dan Burn, was brilliantly saved by Wigan keeper Christian Walton, diving to his left.

Southampton's second goal came in injury time when Cedric finished off a swift counter-attack, led by Nathan Redmond, with a calm finish into the far corner.

Southampton joins Tottenham, Manchester United and the winner of Sunday's other tie between Leicester City and Chelsea in the semifinals. — Reuters