Southampton 3-1 Wolves: Saints take great stride towards PL safety

Southampton battled to a priceless 3-1 win over Wolves on Saturday to all but confirm their Premier League safety.

A first-half brace from Nathan Redmond and a third strike from Shane Long took the Saints eight points clear of the relegation zone with five games left to play.

Wolves controlled possession for much of the entertaining contest but were ultimately undone by the home side’s effectiveness in front of goal.

Saints made a dream start to the game when they went ahead after two minutes.

Josh Sims – making his first Premier League start for a year – broke behind the Wolves backline and cut the ball back to Nathan Redmond, who provided the perfect finish when running across the near post.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 13: Nathan Redmond of Southampton scores his team’s second goal past Rui Patricio of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary’s Stadium on April 13, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

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This was just the start of what would be a frantic first period.

The visitors fought back with good chances for Raul Jimenez and Leander Dendoncker, but would draw level when Willy Boly powered a header into the top corner.

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Having worked so hard to get themselves back to 1-1 though, they would concede again as Saints broke up the other end of the pitch.

Sims was again involved as he found Danny Ings on the edge of the box, and the striker’s well-disguised reverse ball found Redmond again to clip in his second over the advancing Rui Patricio.

A big spell of Wolves pressure followed but it was perhaps telling that just two of their 17 shots were on target despite enjoying 70% of the ball.

It would be a set-piece that finally killed the game off for Saints and saw the home crowd relax in the final stages of the match.

James Ward-Prowse’s corner wasn’t cleared and Shane Long was on hand to flick home the loose ball with 20 minutes left to play.

With other results going in their favour, the Saints now sit above Brighton in 16th and with a comfortable gap to Cardiff in 18th.

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