A dogged performance by Southampton saw them prevail at Bramall Lane against an organised Sheffield United.
The feat itself was impressive given Saints’ propensity to reserve their worst form for the fixtures following the international break.
To cap the performance off further, Southampton registered a clean sheet, an accomplishment given their usual capacity to self destruct against former players. Yet Moussa Djenepo’s mazy run and well taken finish was sufficient to see off Chris Wilder’s outfit, taking Southampton’s tally to seven points for the season and the lofty heights of 10th place (temporarily at least).
More importantly, it will give Ralph Hasenhuttl confidence that his team are slowly evolving into a more resolute and ruthless proposition than the shambolic mess he inherited last December. A straight red for former Saint Billy Sharp summed up a disappointing afternoon for the Blades. VAR again came to Saints’ rescue after rightly ruling McBurnie’s effort.
Here’s how the players rated: