Huddersfield 1-3 Southampton: Saints with commanding win to move clear of bottom three

Southampton made it two wins in two Premier League games with a crucial 3-1 victory away at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side held a commanding 2-0 lead at the break after a first goal of the season for Nathan Redmond and a penalty from Danny Ings.

Huddersfield fought back through Philip Billing’s long-ranger but a third Saints goal from 18-year-old Michael Obafemi claimed another superb win 20 minutes from time.

Ahead of the game, Ralph Hasenhuttl put his trust in the same starting 11 that had beaten Arsenal a week earlier. However, there were returns to the bench for Mario Lemina and Michael Obafemi and a place in the squad for another youth academy product in Kayne Ramsay.

It was Saints who carved out an early opportunity as a firm strike from Oriol Romeu tested home keeper Jonas Lossl with the first shot on target.

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HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 22: Nathan Redmond of Southampton scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Southampton FC at John Smith’s Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) /

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However, they soon got themselves in front and gained a potentially crucial lead through Nathan Redmond’s first goal of the season.

The winger made a good run through the centre of the Huddersfield defence and was picked out well by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s pass, leaving Redmond with the simple task of slotting a cool finish inside the near post.

It was no less than the 24-year-old deserved after some really bright displays but not a lot to show for his efforts this season.

For Saints, it was now vital to not let Huddersfield back into the contest and give them something to fight for before half-time.

They managed this and instead doubled their lead before the break from the penalty spot. Danny Ings was brought down in the area by Mathias Jorgensen and picked himself up to calmly convert.

Alex McCarthy had remained untested for the first-half as the defence in front of him dealt well with the crosses and long throws that had been thrown at them.

The Saints shot-stopper would have to be alert shortly into the second-half though. He produced a great reflex save to deny Jorgensen’s header and maintain his side’s two-goal lead.

Just a minute later though, he would be beaten. Philip Billing struck a speculative effort from range that had swerve on it but rather caught McCarthy unaware and not expecting a shot.

From this point on, it would be a true test of Saints’ ability to see out a win; something they had not been good at under previous manager Mark Hughes.

They certainly had to weather a storm from the home side, but would grab a vital third goal with 20 minutes left.

Nathan Redmond won the ball back after a mistake from Huddersfield in defence and cut the ball back to Michael Obafemi to finish and become the youngest Saints goalscorer in the Premier League.

His strike killed any belief that the hosts had in a comeback and Saints were able to see out the game for another crucial three points.

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