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Southampton 3-1 Sheffield United: Premier League – Player Ratings

By Erik Franzo

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Che Adams of Southampton celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Sheffield United at St Mary's Stadium on July 26, 2020 in Southampton, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andrew Boyers/Pool via Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Che Adams of Southampton celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Sheffield United at St Mary's Stadium on July 26, 2020 in Southampton, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andrew Boyers/Pool via Getty Images) /
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Southampton’s English striker Danny Ings celebrates (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton’s English striker Danny Ings celebrates (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Southampton dominated Sheffield United from start to finish, rightfully earning a 3-1 victory as Che Adams bagged a brace.

Ralph Hasenhuttl went with his expected side with Jan Bednarek nursing a small injury while restoring Che Adams as Danny Ings’ striking partner.  Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was completely left out of the team and has likely made his final appearance in a Saints uniform.  Will Smallbone was off the bench early for his manager as Stuart Armstrong left with an apparent hip injury.  Overall it was a strong Southampton team with the manager already setting sights on a successful start to 2020-21.

Saints held 72% of possession in the first half, but could not find a break through.  Nathan Redmond was incredible on the ball, just lacking the final bit of luck to earn a goal or assist.  Ings looked desperate to get himself a goal and pushed toward the Golden Boot, but Sheffield United’s organization stood to the task.  United struck first despite being on the back foot, as a Enda Stevens’ cross was not dealt with by Jannik Vestergaard leaving Alex McCarthy completely exposed.

Southampton came out in the second half right where they left off.  They forced Sheffield United into their own penalty area over and over again, and a breakthrough was inevitable.  Che Adams pounced on a loose ball, flashing his quickness and pace, then smashing a ball past Dean Henderson on his near post.  Since the City game, Adams has found his groove, and moments of athletic brilliance like this are why Hasenhuttl refused to move him during winter speculation from Leeds United. He earned a brace with another quick reaction goal as the ball pinged off a United defender and Adams struck the ball far post.

Danny Ings earned his second penalty in two weeks and this time he converted.  His tally left him just one short of league leader Jamie Vardy, but finishing a Premier League campaign with 22 goals is an incredible feat.  With Che Adams scoring, the partnership looks far more likely to score than not and will hopefully carryover the good form to the 2020-21 season.

There were many quality performances from the Southampton side, and here are the player ratings from the successful final match of the extended Premier League season.