Southampton 1-1 Crystal Palace: Three Key Saints Players

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 28: Danny Ings of Southampton attempts to block the ball of Vicente Guaita of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Crystal Palace at St Mary’s Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /

Danny Ings

These entries about Ings are starting to have the feel of a naughty schoolboy copying his friend’s homework or a tired author rehashing their first novel. Every week, the in-form striker is proving to be integral to his team’s recent upturn in form. With 14 goals already in all competitions, Ings will soon be approaching Beattie or even Le Tissier-esque numbers as he continues to impress.

Against Palace, Ings needed to be patient but he didn’t need asking twice to cooly dispatch Martin Kelly’s errant back pass. It was yet another perfect example of Ings’ unrelenting opportunism, coupled with Hasenhuttl’s successful high press strategy.

It is worth noting that the Palace keeper was impressive throughout and proved a worthy adversary when making a strong save from an Ings header in the second period.

Ings looked at his best once Djenepo entered the fray, with the wideman’s mazy runs creating space in the middle for Ings. With Spurs the next team to arrive at St Mary’s on New Year’s Day, the Southampton striker will be desperate to keep his run of good form going.