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Watford 0-1 Southampton: Three key performers from big Saints win

By Alastair Case

WATFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Che Adams of Southampton celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on October 30, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Che Adams of Southampton celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on October 30, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Southampton players celebrate (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Southampton players celebrate (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /

Southampton emerged triumphantly from Vicarage Road, following an engaging encounter with fellow strugglers Watford.

Saints won 1-0, courtesy of a stunning Che Adams strike in the first half but in different circumstances, Ralph Hasenhuttl could have been left rueing a number of missed opportunities.

Watford have recently appointed seasoned manager Claudio Ranieri to rescue a disappointing start to the season and they came into the game off the back of an excellent win away at Everton last week. Ranieri is a veteran on the managerial circuit but he will have been frustrated with the lack of potency his side displayed against an often fragile Southampton side.

Hasenhuttl deserves credit for the way his team set up and although the tie ended with just a goal in it, they could have been out of sight but for some average finishing. Adam Armstrong in particular will be lamenting his inability to force a save from Ben Foster in the Watford goal but even the goal scorer Adams should have done better with a first half header.

Saints are noticeably harder to score against this season with Salisu, Bednarek, Walker-Peters and teen wunderkind Livramento all forming a solid defensive line. There is a varied mix of skill sets which compliment each other within that line up, with the likes of Perraud, Stephens and Lyanco also having played their part in the respectable four clean sheets earned to date in the league.

Whilst the goals have been limited this season, with absentee Broja having looked the most likely goal threat, it has been a positive change seeing Saints have a solid platform defensively to build upon. New signing Lyanco looked promising in the mid week cup defeat to Chelsea and with Perraud being regularly rotated with Walker-Peters, Hasenhuttl can finally point to some welcome squad depth defensively.

Here are the three key players from the Watford game: