Southampton managed to see off relegated Middlesbrough in a comfortable game that ended 2-1 to the Saints.
Claude Puel surprised a lot of Saints fans with a massive change to the starting line-up, as he made seven changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Arsenal in midweek, showing our key players’ fatigue in this 50-odd-game season.
The game was dominated by the Saints throughout, but the scoreline didn’t quite show it.
The first half was pretty dire until the 42nd minute, as Shane Long lifted a ball to Jay Rodriguez, who struck low past Brad Guzan to give Saints the lead.
The second half was a lot more eventful, as Nathan Redmond came off the bench to double Saints’ lead, as he cut inside in the penalty area and placed the ball into the top right corner.
Saints almost put the game to bed when Shane Long was brought down in the box by Guzan, but the Irishman smashed the crossbar from twelve yards out.
Boro got one back with 18 minutes to go, as Patrick Bamford headed home from a corner to get his side back in the game, but Saints held on to get the three points and go up to ninth in the league.
Here are five things we learned after the match:
