Southampton come from behind to stun Watford 2-1

Two goals in a crazy five minutes ensured Southampton picked up their first home win of the campaign.

Watford remain bottom of the table and are now six points adrift of safety after suffering a 2-1 defeat on the south coast.

Despite the Saints recording 69% possession in the first-half, Ismaila Sarr’s cool finish put Watford ahead at the break.

With the second-half seemingly following suit, a five minute spell changed the complexion of the game. Danny Ings levelled things before James Ward-Prowse’s stunning free-kick put the home side in front.

Following waves and waves of Watford attack, the home side stood strong to record their first home victory of the campaign.

The Saints headed into the game in 19th place, their evening counterparts the only team below them. With just three wins between the pair all season, both found consistency and form hard to come by.

The two sides were under no illusion that the clash at St Mary was certainly a crunch one. It was 19th vs 20th and their respective battles for Premier League survival would either be hampered or boosted. The term ‘a six-pointer’ is generally used all too regularly- but this really was one.

After just 90 seconds, the visitors had the first chance. A loose pass from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was pounced on by Ismaila Sarr, whose effort went straight into the grateful arms of Alex McCarthy.

Photo: @SouthamptonFC/Twitter

The opening passage summed up both sides campaigns to date. Mistakes were happening all over the pitch and the two teams appeared to be lacking the confidence to take the game to the other. Perhaps it was understandable and expected, given their recent woes.

The scars of St Mary’s laid bare as Watford struck first in the 23rd minute. One long ball over the top completely undone the Southampton defence, allowing Ismaila Sarr to break away and atone for his earlier miss with a neat finish. With just one point in their first six home games, the south coast’s dismal form looked set to continue.

On the half hour mark, McCarthy was called into action again, this time using his legs to keep out a low Sarr volley.

After yet another save from the Southampton shot-stopper, this time from Gerard Deulofeu, boos began ringing around the stadium. The fans had become familiar with this type of abject performance from the same players. Ralph Hasenhuttl stood on the touchline, cutting an isolated figure.

James Ward-Prowse had Saints’ best effort of the first-half after his first-time flick went narrowly wide of the far post. Michael Oliver’s half-time whistle was drowned out by the groans of the Saints faithful.

However, it did give Hasenhuttl time to issue a rallying cry to his players. For Quique Sanchez Flores and his men, they were solid but not spectacular.

A 23rd minute goal from Ismaila Sarr was the difference at the break – Photo: @WatfordFC/Twitter

Southampton pushed for the equaliser after the interval but chances were few and far between as the Hornets remained resolute.

Ben Foster tipped a Shane Long first-time shot onto the crossbar before Moussa Djenepo’s claims for a penalty were swatted away by referee Oliver.

Shane Long should have scored again after good work from Danny Ings to keep the ball in. The Irishman’s scrappy effort was somehow cleared off the line by Craig Cathcart and cleared to safety.

Moments later the Saints did strike. It was Ings again – so often the catalyst for dragging his team back into it. Moussa Djenepo danced his way down the right flank before squaring the ball to the Winchester born man. The striker tapped home to grab his ninth goal in all competitions.

With the crowd up and the momentum completely shifting, Southampton took the lead. A sumptuous free-kick from James Ward-Prowse beat the despairing Ben Foster and sent St Mary’s into a sensation they haven’t felt for a while.

The Hornets, who under Flores concede an average of two goals per game, were left reeling. In a bizarre five minutes of play, fortunes had dramatically changed.

But with over 10 minutes to go and the Saints known track-record for letting in late, the visitors still had hope. Andre Gray came inches away with a volley before Alex McCarthy had to tip over a looping cross.

After waves of waves of Hornets attack, Michael Oliver blew the final whistle to record a much-needed win for the Saints, at the expense of a sunken Watford.

Team Lineups:

Southampton (4-2-2-2): McCarthy; Cedric (Valery 76′), Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand; Hojbjerg (c), Ward-Prowse; Djenepo, Redmond (Boufal 57′); Ings, Obafemi (Long 57′)

Unused substitutes: Gunn, Yoshida, Romeu, Adams

Watford (5-3-2): Foster; Femenia Masina, Cathcart, Mariappa, Holebas; Doucoure, Capoue (c), Hughes (Chalobah 74′); Sarr, Deulofeu (Gray 67′)

Unused substitutes: Gomes, Foulquier, Quina, Pereyra, Deeney