Southampton 1-1 Watford: Late Hornets equaliser denies Saints home win

Southampton failed to secure a first home win of the season as a late Jose Holebas equaliser snatched a point for Watford at St Mary’s.

Manolo Gabbiadini’s goal had seen Saints with a 1-0 lead for much of the contest, but the visitors struck in the 81st minute to leave the St Mary’s crowd disappointed again.

Controversy also came in the second-half as Watford were denied what looked to be a clear penalty, and then Charlie Austin had a crucial second goal for Saints chalked off for offside.

Ahead of the game, Mark Hughes made three changes from the side that lost 6-1 to Manchester City last weekend, as Stuart Armstrong, Maya Yoshida and Gabbiadini came in.

Gabbiadini was looking sharp in the opening stages and went close as he linked up with Stuart Armstrong. He controlled the ball and curled a shot goalwards from just outside the area that went just over the join of post and bar.

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However, just five minutes later he gave showed just why he was included in the team as he opened the scoring. A Ryan Bertrand corner caused confusion in the penalty area and the loose ball fell kindly for the Italian to calmly slot past Ben Foster.

Saints were looking up for the match and motivated to get their second league win of the season and further first-half opportunities would come there way.

Maya Yoshida headed just wide from a Mario Lemina cross and then Armstrong forced a good save from Foster as they looked to double their lead.

Into the second-half, and Gabbiadini would be involved again and so close to netting his second of the afternoon. He picked the ball up in a good position just outside the box and arrowed a shot that beat Foster but, unfortunately, the far post too.

Controversy would then play a part as both sides saw potentially crucial decision go against them.

First, Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah was taken down in the box by Saints captain Ryan Bertrand just as he prepared to shoot, but referee Simon Hooper waived away claims from the visitors.

With 67 minutes on the clock, Charlie Austin then thought he had scored the all important second goal for Saints. His shot took a deflection on its way into the net, but Maya Yoshida was adjudged to have been interfering whilst in an offside position.

Saints were unable to hold their narrow 1-0 lead until full-time and Watford would take away a point from St Mary’s after a late equaliser.

The ball ricocheted around the home penalty area and fell kindly for Jose Holebas, and his shot took a deflection off of Cedric before flying past Alex McCarthy.