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Southampton 1-1 Huddersfield: Three key players

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Laurent Depoitre of Huddersfield Town scores his sides first goal past Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Huddersfield Town at St Mary's Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Laurent Depoitre of Huddersfield Town scores his sides first goal past Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Huddersfield Town at St Mary's Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Mario Lemina of Southampton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on December 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Mario Lemina of Southampton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on December 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Mario Lemina

The Gabonese midfielder admitted after the Chelsea loss that a niggling injury was preventing him from playing at his best – since returning from an injury lay-off a month or so ago he hasn’t been as regular in the first team as many would’ve liked.

However yesterday the box-to-box man was back to his best, running the show in the middle of park whilst also keeping the Terriers’ start man – Aaron Mooy – quiet for the majority of the game.

Lemina looked strong on the ball once again, completing a game-high 87.2 percent of his pass attempts whilst also succeeding in half of his attempted long balls.

Despite yet having registered a goal or an assist for Southampton since joining in August, Lemina has been the side’s standout player with a string of consistent performances in midfield.

With Austin almost-certainly out for the away trip to Tottenham on Boxing Day, Lemina’s ability to link midfield and attack will be even more important than before.