Saints Marching
Fansided

Stoke City 2-1 Southampton: Three key players

By Edward Waugh

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Maya Yoshida (R) of Southampton celebrates scoring his side’s first goal with his team mate Manolo Gabbiadini (L) 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 (R) of Southampton celebrates scoring his side’s first goal with his team mate Manolo Gabbiadini (L) 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) /

Maya Yoshida

Now for the star man, despite conceding two goals with other key player Fraser Forster. It could be argued that his defensive counterparts were more to blame for conceding of goals and the penalty.

The make-shift captain proved to be highly determined as always though. pushing Saints on for the points with a great acrobatic finish in the 75th minute of the game.

Scoring arguably Saints’ best goal this season, the Japanese international was the difference in not shooting another blank. Now having scored more goals from open play this season than the likes of Shane Long, Charlie Austin, Nathan Redmond and Dusan Tadic.

Yoshida is starting to become an integral player in the Saints ranks. Shown, as he was preferred to start over an impressive Wesley Hoedt, and captain instead of the highly-regarded Virgil Van Dijk. But is very much leading by example going off his performance against Stoke.