After joining Southampton in July 2012, Clyne made his debut for the club against Manchester City and he was straight into the action – he was involved in an early collision with Sergio Aguero, resulting in the Argentine being stretchered off. Saints eventually ran out of steam in a 3-2 loss after Rickie Lambert and Steven Davis had put them 2-1 up.
Clyne’s first goal for Saints came in their first Premier League win since their return to the top division – he was playing out of position at left-back but neat build-up saw him get in behind the Villa defence and finish well past Brad Guzan.
Clyne had to wait a fair while to get on the scoresheet again at St. Mary’s but it was well worth the wait – in an enthralling FA Cup tie in early 2014 Burnley were the visitors, Clyne stepped in from the right and unleashed a 25-yard drive which contributed to the Saints’ eventual 4-3 victory.
Facing two out of three of his former team-mates on the opening day of the 2014/15 season, Clyne scored Saints’ only goal in a 2-1 defeat – playing a beautiful one-two with new signing Dusan Tadic before walloping home past Simon Mignolet in front of the Kop.
The number one Clyne memory for many will be his goal against Arsenal; with Clyne seemingly making a habit of popping up with the odd howitzer. You could be forgiven for thinking that Alexis Sanchez’s early free-kick would be shoe-in for goal of the night but after Dusan Tadic equalised from the spot, Clyne sent the away support into raptors; his strike beating David Ospina, in the Arsenal goal, through sheer power.
Clyne’s final goal for Southampton came against the same side which he scored his first against; Aston Villa – this time it was a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Villa Park. It was his second league goal of the season and one that put the Saints two points clear of Manchester City as they remained second going into December.
Clyne rounded off his Southampton career at the same place as it started – his final appearance in the red & white stripes came at the Etihad Stadium and once again ended in defeat as Saints ended the final game second best to Manchester City once again; finishing the campaign in seventh – their highest ever league position.
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