On a blustery Lancastrian night, Southampton obtained a valuable three points against an unusually subdued Burnley side.
An early Danny Ings strike was sufficient to see off Sean Dyche’s men, as Southampton out “Burnley-ed” their opponents. Not one for the purists, Ralph Hasenhuttl will be delighted with the resilience and mental fortitude displayed by his side, following the second half capitulation to Spurs last weekend.
A strong defensive display was the basis for the win at an unlikely hunting ground. Burnley have been a bogey side for the Saints for several years, with the Clarets’ abrasive style often proving too much for the South coast side. In Dyche’s defence, he was without several key men but in an encounter where there were few clear cut chances, it was the in-form Ings who struck the decisive blow after good work from his strike partner Che Adams.
Although the referees were once more under scrutiny for not following the new procedures in the event of a suspected offside, the right decisions were generally reached, albeit in the wrong manner. A flimsy penalty shout aside, Saints rarely looked in any trouble as a depleted Burnley eleven struggled to penetrate a compact Southampton back line.
Here’s the player ratings from the game: