Southampton 2-1 Watford: Premier League – Three Match Takeaways
By Joe Mcindoe
A Game of Two Halves
The BBC’s Match of the Day noted that Southampton have fallen behind in all of their seven home games this season. Ralph Hasenhüttl has also repeatedly bemoaned his side’s tendency to concede early goals.
Any supporter that regularly watches the side won’t have found it hard to spot the team’s recent tendency for sluggish starts while on home soil.
After their tepid first half display against Everton, SFC got off to a similarly alarming start against the latest relegation rival. The visitors found themselves in front as Ismaila Sarr got on the end of a long throw-in down the wing.
Jack Stephens struggled to keep pace with the striker and may have helped to knock it into his path.
The man from Senegal buried that one but his side could have easily been three up before the break. A Pierre-Emile Højbjerg back pass set the bottom side in early and left Alex McCarthy to clean up the mess.
McCarthy pulled out several key saves to keep the game within touching distance, before tipping over late to save all three points. Defensive frailties aside, the South coast side appeared laboured while going forward.
Even as Saints picked up possession in the midfield, on more than one occasion the ball would end up at the feet of the keeper much to the disgruntlement of the home faithful. The red and white army was roundly booed off at half time and looked to be in for a depressing evening.
Smart personnel changes from the gaffer help to change the course of the game. The introduction of Shane Long and Sofiane Boufal revitalized their colleagues.
Long for his part not only provided a viable option for route one football but was unlucky not to see his name on the score sheet. The Irishman had a shot palmed on to the crossbar.
Southampton went from an uncertain, conservative, and dysfunctional approach in the first, to an aggressive, urgent, and cutting style in the second.
The newly found positivity was rewarded with a rare come from behind victory. James Ward Prowse stepped up in the nick of time to fire a gorgeous free kick past a diving Ben Foster.
Despite booing midway through proceedings, the faithful rallied to serenade the side to a deserved victory. Although Saints got away with it this time, falling behind in every single home game should set the alarm bells ringing.
Watford may have allowed the lead to slip away, but most in the top-flight will take the multiple gifts a shaky defence provides. It’s been said before and it’s going to be said again, SFC must put in strong performances for 90 minutes to avoid the drop.