An entertaining tie between Fourteenth and fifteenth In the English Premier League ended with Ralph Hasenhuttl's Southampton coming back from a two goal deficit to take all three points on the south coast.
Story of the Match:
Southampton fell victim to an early penalty which saw them go 0-1 down after Kyle Walker-Peters gave away a clumsy foul in Fraser Forster's box. Burnley dominated the Saints in the opening stages with Chris Wood and Dwight McNeill looking lively. Saints struggled for possession and control on the game throughout the first period and, this was highlighted when the Clarets doubled their advantage through Matej Vydra who pounced upon a glancing header from target man Chris Wood.
Stuart Armstrong pulled a crucial goal back on the 30-minute mark getting his side right back into the game. A flowing move involving James Ward-Prowse and Danny Ings saw the ball worked into a central striking position for Armstrong who struck past the outstretched glove of Nick Pope. The final moments of the first half saw an encouraged Saints side who attacked the clarets and created a number of goal scoring opportunities.
Saints’ late pressure was rewarded when Danny Ings calmly slotted home to level the score at St Marys. The England striker’s press and enthusiasm paid off as he nicked the ball off of Ben Mee to dash through on goal, Sit down James Tarkowski and hit the back of the net.
Saints started the second half brightly, straight away asking questions of the Burnley backline. Southampton asserted their dominance upon the tie with James Ward-Prowse dictating the play in the middle of the park. Nathan Redmond scored to give Saints the lead in the 66th minute that completed a devastating counterattack fuelled by Everton Loanee Theo Walcott. Burnley piled on the pressure in the closing stages pumping balls into the Southampton box and asking questions of Saints defender’s Jan Bednarek and Jannik Vestergaard. Fraser Forster made a number of crucial saves to keep his side in the game and ensure the three points remained in Southampton.
Danny Ings shines on return to the side
A goal and assists marked a successful afternoon for Saints and England striker Danny Ings who worked tirelessly through the course of the game pressing and playing a crucial part in the first two comeback goals. A classy touch to set up Scottish teammate Stuart Armstrong made the game 1-2 and a commendable solo effort from the 28 Y/O Englishman levelled the score at 2-2. Ings will be crucial to Hassenhutl’s side in the final stages of the season if the South coast side have any ambition of finishing in the top 10.
Looking ahead:
Saints next travel to The Hawthorns to face Sam Allardyce’s West Bromwich Albion on Monday night football. The Baggies will be full of confidence after dispatching the 10 men of Chelsea on Saturday 5-2. Southampton will hope to gain some momentum first at the Hawthorns before Leicester visit St Marys the following Sunday.