Swansea City 0-1 Southampton: Three match takeaways

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SWANSEA, WALES – MAY 08: Alex McCarthy of Southampton warms up during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

Alex McCarthy

Every week now it seems like McCarthy is in both the key players piece and his praises are sung on match takeaways, but it’s impossible to ignore him.

Yesterday the Englishman was again at his brilliant best, showing that he 100% warrants a fresh contract over summer to reflect his status as the side’s new number one.

McCarthy made a fantastic save from Jordan Ayew in the second half but was also on his toes for the whole encounter – he was sharp as ever and the game’s Man of the Match.

He has definitely been one of the surprises of the season but after Fraser Forster’s initial form, it seems amazing that Macca wasn’t brought in earlier. Maybe if he was, the Saints wouldn’t be where they are.

On a lighter note, McCarthy inadvertently knocking Jan Bednarek out attempting to clear a corner seemed to help the Saints – with no other centre-backs Hughes was forced to re-shuffle by introducing Gabbiadini, who eventually scored the winner!