Middlesbrough 1-2 Southampton – Match Report
Claude Puel featured a much-changed Saints side against already-relegated Middlesbrough yesterday.
It was a long awaited debut for Uruguayan international Martin Caceres and a return from injury for Jeremy Pied, who last made an appearance on the 13th August against Watford on the opening day of the season.
Middlesbrough were the first team to “threaten” Fraser Forster, as Martin Caceres gave the ball away from defence to Adam Clayton. He was then fouled by Jay Rodriguez and the resulting free kick was struck into the wall by Alvaro Negredo. An unusual corner routine ended at Clayton’s feet on the left hand side of the pitch before his cross found George Friend at the far post, but his header was comfortably wide.
Southampton went into the changing rooms 1-0 up thanks to a fine move, as Jordy Clasie played the ball down the channel on the right hand side which met Shane Long, whose first-time cross was finished by Jay Rodriguez with a perfectly executed half volley past Brad Guzan.
Patrick Bamford had the opportunity to equalise five minutes into the second half, but his shot on the half volley was blazed high and wide from close range.
It was Southampton though who extended their lead seven minutes later, as some nice one-touch passing in the midfield eventually went out wide to a completely free Nathan Redmond, who had replaced Sofiane Boufal at half-time. After a slight feint to his right, he followed with a fine finish right into the top corner, leaving Guzan rooted to the spot.
Southampton had the opportunity to make it 3-0 as Shane Long was bought down in the box by Guzan, but Long’s penalty was too powerful and hit the crossbar, skimming over the top.
Middlesbrough managed to find the net from a set piece as Bamford, despite being tightly marked, managed to head the ball into the top corner.
Deep into added time, Southampton graduate Calum Chambers had a shot finely saved by Fraser Forster, giving Southampton their 12th win of the season.
This will give the Saints some confidence going into a tough midweek game against Manchester United before concluding an arduous season against Stoke City at St Mary’s.