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Burnley 0-1 Southampton: Premier League – Three Key Players

By Erik Franzo

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Jannik Vestergaard of Southampton and Jan Bednarek of Southampton celebrate following their sides victory in the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor on September 26, 2020 in Burnley, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Jannik Vestergaard of Southampton and Jan Bednarek of Southampton celebrate following their sides victory in the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor on September 26, 2020 in Burnley, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager of Southampton (Photo by Peter Powell – Pool/Getty Images)
Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager of Southampton (Photo by Peter Powell – Pool/Getty Images) /

Southampton secured their first three points of the Premier League 2020-21 season with a gritty 1-0 win over Burnley.

Ralph Hasenhuttl made just a single change from the 5-2 loss to Tottenham Hotspurs, deciding to start Danish centre-back Jannik Vestergaard in place of Jack Stephens.  The tactical decision added height to the Southampton back line with an increased focus on ball possession.  Although, Stephens had been critical throughout the 2019-20 season, he was severely exposed in the opening two matches playing in the Saints’ high back line.

Burnley were decimated by team injury, but Southampton always struggle to find points at Turf Moor.  Danny Ings highlighted the difficulty of playing against a unique Burnley system in his post match interview.  The Saints were not allowed to play their game and to win demands a different style of play. Ings’ further alluded to team fitness still catching up to the requirements of Southampton’s game plan.  Fortunately for Saints, they were able to secure their first away win at Burnley since a Championship meeting in 2007.

Negativity has plagued the start of Southampton’s campaign, but there is finally something to get the fans going.  The disappointment within the transfer window, the opening three matches, and the public opinion of Hasenhuttl has driven a lot of hope wayward.  However, for a week it was washed all away with a tough win against Sean Dyche’s side.

There were a lot of good performances in the Southampton team, but three stood out as match-winning game managers.  Here are the three key Saint players from the first victory of the Premier League campaign.