Southampton 1-2 Cardiff City: Premier League – Player Ratings

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Players, officials and fans take part in a minute of silence in tribute to Emiliano Sala prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Cardiff City at St Mary's Stadium on February 9, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Players, officials and fans take part in a minute of silence in tribute to Emiliano Sala prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Cardiff City at St Mary's Stadium on February 9, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 09: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton battles for possession with Harry Arter of Cardiff City during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Cardiff City at St Mary’s Stadium on February 9, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 09: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton battles for possession with Harry Arter of Cardiff City during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Cardiff City at St Mary’s Stadium on February 9, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

In a game inevitably billed as a six pointer, it was Cardiff who walked away from St Mary’s with a hard fought victory after inflicting a late winner on Southampton.

Despite Jack Stephens’ equaliser in the 91st minute, the Welsh club hit back in two minutes later to cause heartbreak for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men. In doing so, Southampton dropped back into the bottom three as Cardiff and Burnley leapfrogged them.

On a day where both sets of fans remembered Emiliano Sala following his tragic death last month, Cardiff produced a resilient performance which, whilst lacking in ambition, showed real grit and passion. By contrast, Southampton’s decision not to invest in any new players is looking increasingly naive as they looked bereft of a Plan B in the absence of Lemina, Ings or Armstrong.

Here are the player ratings from the game…