Crystal Palace 0-1 Southampton: Three key players

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Shane Long of Southampton reacts after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park on September 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Shane Long of Southampton reacts after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park on September 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Christian Benteke of Crystal Palace tackles Mario Lemina of Southampton during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park on September 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Christian Benteke of Crystal Palace tackles Mario Lemina of Southampton during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park on September 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Mario Lemina

Wow, just wow! Lemina by far had his best performance in a Saints shirt and fully deserved his man of the match award! Just like the new chant states, “he never gives the ball away” and he hardly did against Palace.

The Gabonese international won headers, intercepted, dribbled fantastically and could’ve gotten an assist if he’d seen a run in the box.

He looks settled into his new team and league now and so the partnership that him and Oriol Romeu can form could be frightening for the attackers of other sides! It took a few games but Pellegrino’s philosophy of four defenders and another two defensive midfielders in front is now fully in gear.