Southampton started their 2018 with a discouraging 1-2 defeat to Crystal Palace on a wet and windy Tuesday night at St Mary’s.
The Saints have now won only one in 13 games in the Premier League with their only 3 points coming from a 4-1 win over Everton back in November last year.
Mauricio Pellegrino will be disappointed in his side after going into the break leading comfortably 1-0 through a rare goal scored by Shane Long, but Crystal Palace took advantage of Southampton’s decision on defending their one-goal lead by scoring twice in the second-half.
The first goal came in the 17th minute for the Saints as a brilliant ball across the box by Jeremy Pied found Shane long who smashed the ball past Wayne Hennessey. That goal ended Long’s goal drought after not scoring since February 2017.
Palace’s equaliser came in the 69th minute after a lofted ball by Andros Townsend finds Christian Benteke’s who headed the ball down nicely for James McArthur who fires the ball pass Alex McCarthy in the Saints’ net.
Luka Milivojevic ended Southampton’s hopes of salvaging a win in the 80th minute as he curled one from distance leaving the Saint’s keeper standing and the home fans bewildered.
All Saints players didn’t have the best of games but it’s my job to give to you the top three performers so here they are:
Jeremy Pied
After filling in for a concussed Wesley Hoedt, Jeremy Pied was given the chance to impress the Saint’s boss, Mauricio Pellegrino and he did so with an exceptional performance in the first-half considering he looked to be playing with an injury he picked up. He managed to bag himself an assist after a beautiful ball which cut across the box and found Shane Long. However, I don’t think his performance is enough to have him picked over Cedric or Wesley Hoedt.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Once again Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has reminded us that he is an absolute engine in midfield. Before being substituted in the 74th minute, he looked confident on ball, looked to make good chances with superb passes and he made several good runs out of midfield. The Danish international looks to be a Saints’ starter more and more as the weeks go by.
Shane Long
Shane Long finally ended his 1,000+ minute goal drought with an excellent finish early in the first-half to give Pellegrino’s men the lead. The Irish international also continuously worked hard to try and win back to ball and he made some promising runs which needed better service from his Southampton counterparts.
