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Tag: southampton

  • Relegated Southampton shut out lifeless Man City

    Relegated Southampton shut out lifeless Man City

    Relegated Southampton shut out lifeless Manchester City to move past the Premier League record low mark of 11 points with a goalless draw at St Mary’s.

    This season’s Saints are now up to 12 points to ensure Derby County’s record low from the 2007-08 season remains intact for at least another year.

    City could have moved level on points with second-placed Arsenal with a win but served up a dismal attacking display a week before their FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.

    They stay in third place but the dropped points on the south coast could prove costly in a tight race for a top-five finish and a place in the Champions League next season.

    Erling Haaland returned from injury but offered little as Pep Guardiola’s side were content to play at walking pace against an admittedly packed Southampton defence, and looked devoid of ideas for most of the game.

    Defender Manuel Akanji headed wide from a corner and Bernardo Silva saw a shot hacked off the line by Saints captain Jack Stephens.

    Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was only called into serious action inside the last few minutes, clawing away a header from Ruben Dias before Omar Marmoush rattled the crossbar from long range.

    But there were cheers from the stoic home crowd at the whistle as the hosts held on for just a third clean sheet all season.

    BBC

  • EPL: Wolves sink Southampton in 1st league win

    EPL: Wolves sink Southampton in 1st league win

    Wolverhampton Wanderers’ fastest goal in their English Premier League history set up a long-awaited league victory as they beat fellow strugglers Southampton 2-0 on Saturday. The win moved them off the bottom of the table.

    The hosts celebrated not only the win but also their first clean sheet of the season. However, Southampton’s misery continued. The Saints remained winless on the road and have now suffered nine defeats in their opening 11 games. Wolves climbed to 18th place with six points while Southampton sit bottom on four.

    In spite of controlling possession for much of the match, Southampton were undone by two decisive Wolves moments.

    The first came in just the second minute when Matheus Cunha collected the ball in midfield and played a perfectly-weighted pass to Pablo Sarabia. He rounded England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and calmly slotted home.

    Southampton pushed for an equaliser, with only a controversial Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision denying Ryan Manning’s strike.

    But a lapse in intensity early in the second half allowed Wolves to secure the win as Cunha unleashed a thunderous shot to seal a crucial three points for Wolves.

  • EPL: Man City beat Southampton to move top

    EPL: Man City beat Southampton to move top

    Manchester City went back to the top of the Premier League as Erling Haaland’s early effort proved enough to beat struggling Southampton.

    When Haaland shrugged off Jan Bednarek to turn Matheus Nunes’ fifth-minute cross beyond Saints keeper Aaron Ramsdale for his 11th league goal of the season, the visitors seemed set for a heavy defeat.

    But a combination of their own dogged defending and some poor finishing from City, with Haaland the chief culprit, ensured a few home nerves before the final whistle.

    The result extended City’s unbeaten Premier League record to 32 games. They are now only six weeks away from going a full 12 months since their last defeat, by Aston Villa on 6 December.

    Although they deserve credit for the way they battled, the result did nothing to help Southampton’s problems towards the foot of the table.

    Russell Martin’s men still only have a single point to their name almost a quarter of the way through the campaign.

    They can take solace from the knowledge that the only previous time they failed to win any of their first nine games, in 1998-99, they stayed up, but Martin needs to hope Southampton’s owners show him some patience as he looks to change the club’s fortunes following their return to the top flight.

    BBC

  • De Ligt on target as Man Utd thrash Southampton

    De Ligt on target as Man Utd thrash Southampton

    Matthijs de Ligt scored his first goal for Manchester United as Erik ten Hag’s side claimed a much-needed Premier League victory at Southampton.

    The Red Devils went into the recent international break on a low after being comprehensively beaten by Liverpool, and needed to put in a performance on their return to action.

    They survived a difficult start before a penalty save by Andre Onana from Cameron Archer proved the turning point as soon after they took the lead.

    Summer signing De Ligt got the opener, heading into the bottom corner from Bruno Fernandes’ fantastic ball into the box.

    Six minutes later Manchester United doubled their lead, Marcus Rashford opening his account for the season with his first goal since March, guiding a low strike through a crowd into the net.

    The double blow seemed to quell Southampton’s eagerness and Manchester United were comfortable in the second half.

    A bad day was rounded off for Southampton when Jack Stephens was shown a straight red card late on for a reckless challenge on Alejandro Garnacho.

    The substitute then wrapped up the win for the visitors with a thumping finish into the roof of the net deep into stoppage time.

    BBC

  • EPL: Nigerian striker Onuachu back at Southampton

    EPL: Nigerian striker Onuachu back at Southampton

    Southampton manager Russell Martin has confirmed that Paul Onuachu has returned for pre-season training, despite ongoing speculation about a possible transfer. Onuachu impressed during his loan spell at Turkish club Trabzonspor last season, scoring 17 goals in 25 appearances.

     

    The Nigerian international has only made 11 appearances for Southampton since joining in January 2023, when Nathan Jones was the manager. Martin indicated that a permanent move away from the club seems likely this summer.

     

    “Paul is back with us now after a bit of an extended break,” Martin told the Southampton Echo. “He had a brilliant season in Turkey, at a club that holds him in high regard. So, we’ll have to wait and see.”

  • EPL: Southampton gain promotion to premier League after edging Leeds United 1-0 at Wembley

    EPL: Southampton gain promotion to premier League after edging Leeds United 1-0 at Wembley

    Nigeria’s Joe Aribo was in action as Southampton edged Leeds United 1-0 in the Sky Bet Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday to return back to the English Premier League.

    The  results meant that the Saints will return to top flight football next season after spending just one season at the championship.

    Adam Armstrong scored the decisive goal for Southampton inside 24 minutes of the encounter and his goal proved to be the decider.

    Leeds failed to truly test their opponents and struggled with their final ball throughout the game, unable to create many chances when it mattered most.

    They did find one huge opportunity though and it fell to Dan James who fired a half-volley off the bar in the final five minutes.

    Aribo was in action for 90 minutes in the keenly contested encounter.

    The 27-year-old scored four goals in 38 league appearances during the 2023/24 season.

    Leicester City and Ipswich Town have previously secured promotion to the English top-flight.

    Two club sides Southampton and Leicester City make instant return to the Premiership with only Ipswich Town returning after 20 years at the lower divisions.

  • Why I want to play for Nigeria – Bayer Leverkusen forward, Tella

    Why I want to play for Nigeria – Bayer Leverkusen forward, Tella

    Bayer Leverkusen of Germany winger, Nathan Tella has revealed that he would love to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    The forward was born in London by Nigerian parents.

    The 25-year-old is also eligible to represent England but instead has chosen to wear the green and white colour of Nigeria.

    In a recent interview with Bayer Leverkusen’s official website, the former Burnley player revealed his ambition to play for the Super Eagles.

    Tella further explained his decision in an interview with OmaSports.

    “I feel like it’s always been a big part of my life. I was born in London and I’ve been in England all my life, but at the same time my parents and grandparents are Nigerian, so I feel like it’s the bright route to go down so I wanna do something that makes my family proud as well.”

    The versatile winger, who joined Bayer Leverkusen from Sky Bet Championship club, Southampton this summer also spoke highly about the Super Eagles.

    “It’s a very talented national team, but I’ve always liked a challenge myself. The reason I’m here is to push myself and challenge myself. I wanted to play with better players, and with the national team, you’re playing with the best players in the country.

    ” By all means, I want to get to know them, play with them, learn from them and then get the opportunity to improve,” Tella said.

  • Chelsea set to hijack Romeo Lavia’s deal from Liverpool

    Chelsea set to hijack Romeo Lavia’s deal from Liverpool

    Chelsea have prepared bids to hijack Liverpool transfer target, Romeo Lavia as requested by their manager, Mauricio Pochettino.

    According to Ben Jacobs, Chelsea are preparing an improved offer for Lavia, who currently plays for Southampton.

    The Belgian midfielder is a subject of interest from Liverpool this summer.

    Liverpool’s bid have been rejected twice and they are about to table another bid for the Belgian.

    Jurgen Klopp’s side made an initial offer of around £ 38 million and later upped it to £ 45 million, but their proposal still stands short of Southampton’s £50 million demand for the player.

    However, Chelsea are also expected to be aggressive in the transfer market for midfielders as they have lost plenty of midfielders this summer with Mateo Kovacic joining Manchester City, N’Golo Kante leaving for Al-Ittihad, Mason Mount signing for Manchester United, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek sold to AC Milan.

    The West London club have been eyeing a deal for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, but Lavia has also emerged as an option.

    Chelsea could make a more lucrative offer to Southampton for Lavia, having previously made a £50 million bid last summer for the 20-year-old, who is keen to leave the Saints.

  • Bundesliga: Borussia Monchengladbach eyes Paul Onuachu

    Bundesliga: Borussia Monchengladbach eyes Paul Onuachu

    German side,  Borussia Monchengladbach have indicated interest in signing Southampton and Nigerian forward, Paul Onuachu.

    Onuachu joined Southampton from Belgian Pro League club KRC Genk in January but is keen to leave the Saints following their relegation from the Premier League.

    The 29-year-old was previously linked with a move to another German club, VFB Stuttgart.

    According to transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri, Borussia Monchengladbach have a strong interest in the lanky striker.

    Onuachu failed to register a goal in 11 league appearances for Southampton.

    Southampton paid €18 million to sign him from Genk.

    Southampton will feature in the English second tier division next season after finishing last in the English Premier League last season.

  • Southampton relegated from Premier League

    Southampton relegated from Premier League

    Southampton’s 11-year stay in the Premier League ended in tame fashion as their relegation was confirmed with defeat at home by Fulham.

    Aleksandar Mitrovic, making his return from an eight-game ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh, sealed Saints’ fate with a stooping header after Carlos Vinicius’ opener.

    The hosts could have few complaints about the outcome after producing a muted performance despite knowing they had to win to have any chance of pulling off an unlikely survival mission.

    They did have a Carlos Alcaraz strike disallowed for a marginal offside just before Vinicius broke the deadlock but the confident Cottagers were comfortably the better side.

    Willian’s first-half volley was cleared off the line by fellow Brazilian Lyanco, who had earlier been fortunate to escape a video assistant referee’s penalty check for handball.

    But Vinicius tucked home after Lyanco’s clearance ricocheted to him kindly off Harrison Reed and Mitrovic nodded in his 12th league goal of the season from Harry Wilson’s cross.

    Southampton, lethargic throughout, had no response after falling behind and will be playing Championship football next season for the first time since 2012.b