Southampton 2-1 Watford: St Mary’s awoken by grandstand finish

St Mary’s awoke during the last 20 minutes of Southampton’s meeting with Watford as the home faithful saw their side pull off a crucial comeback.

Another tepid display up until that point had seen the Saints sliding towards defeat after Ismailly Sarr’s opener.

However, a Danny Ings tap-in produced a much-needed spark and a superb free-kick from James Ward-Prowse gave Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side their first home win of the season.

The beginning of the contest saw Saints locked back into their home routine of looking very nervy.

A misplaced pass from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the early stages confirmed that the jitters hadn’t gone away, and Saints were lucky that Ismaila Sarr – who had seized on the ball – hit a tame shot straight at Alex McCarthy.

Nathan Redmond and Hojbjerg failed to find the net with long-range efforts for Saints, but the ball was soon in the back of their own net.

Ismaila Sarr broke beyond Jack Stephens and tucked a calm finish into the far corner.

Advantage Watford in this most vital of matches, but their lead could have been even bigger soon after.

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It was Sarr again; this time meeting a deep cross at the back post and connecting well with a volley, only to see Alex McCarthy throw out a foot to make a brilliant save.

The second-half went much the same way, but both Moussa Djenepo and substitute Sofiane Boufal provided much-needed individual flair for Saints that started to create some chances towards the end of the evening.

Shane Long was denied twice – once by the fingertips of Ben Foster with a flick onto the crossbar and then a clearance off the line.

Although it didn’t look like it to begin with, it would be Saints’ day eventually.

Djenepo produced a jinking run that got him within yards of the Watford goal and turned the ball to goal-poacher supreme Danny Ings, and the striker took great glee in blasting into the roof of the net.

And, all of a sudden, Saints and their home ground sparked into life.

Tackles were won, dangerous attacks built and a free-kick won on the edge of the box – James Ward-Prowse standing over it.

Having looked incapable of passing the ball five yards just minutes before, the England international must take great praise for the way he stepped up and bent a perfect strike into the top corner in perhaps the most pressurised moment of the season so far.

A late barrage from Watford was inevitable but was seen off by Saints, who get three precious points to start a vital run of fixtures that could save their campaign.

Saints team: McCarthy, Cedric (Valery 76), Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Djenepo, Redmond (Boufal 57), Obafemi (Long 57), Ings

Watford team: Foster, Femenia (Foulquier 82), Cathcart, Masina, Mariappa, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes (Chalobah 74), Sarr, Deulofeu (Gray 67)