Stoke City 2-1 Southampton: Three key players

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Maya Yoshida (2nd R) of Southampton celebrates scoring his side's first goal with his team mates during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Southampton at Bet365 Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Maya Yoshida (2nd R) of Southampton celebrates scoring his side's first goal with his team mates during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Southampton at Bet365 Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
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STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Fraser Forster of Southampton makes a save a penalty taken by Saido Berahino of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Southampton at Bet365 Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Fraser Forster of Southampton makes a save a penalty taken by Saido Berahino of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Southampton at Bet365 Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Fraser Forster

Despite conceding two goals against Stoke, the England international was arguably one of Saints’ key players in the game. Making some great saves in the first half, whilst topping it with a penalty save against Stoke City’s Saido Berahino – therefore keeping Southampton in the game come the end of the half.

Forster has slowly improved since the beginning of the season, following a dire start to it. He has been criticised quite harshly at times for conceding goals that should have been saved. Versus Stoke this would not be the case. Instead defensive errors being the main reason for conceding goals and the penalty.

His recall to the England squad this past week looks more warranted than what it had before the Stoke game. If it had not been for the six-foot-seven man in the sticks, Saints would have easily suffered a heavier defeat.