Crystal Palace 0-2 Southampton 01/09/18: 3 Key Players

By Marc Walker | Sep 2, 2018

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Danny Ings of Southampton celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton FC at Selhurst Park on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Alex McCarthy of Southampton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Southampton FC at Goodison Park on August 18, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Alex McCarthy

For much of the past year, it would appear that Saints can’t go ahead in a game without instantly falling back and inviting pressure.

It’s a good job that for this time they had have Alex McCarthy to help them on many occasions, and it was much the same story yesterday.

The 28-year-old – called into the England squad this week – made six saves in the match, with four of those coming in the final 15 minutes when Saints were under pressure.

Two in particular saw him deny Christian Benteke. Once he closed the Belgian down to block low and then he made a superb point-blank save from a header.

A first international cap could come for McCarthy in England’s friendly with Switzerland on the 11th and he will certainly deserve it if Gareth Southgate picks him.