Saints celebrate after Charlie Austin’s 88th minute match winner
IBO Reporter : channonite
Well, well, a win at last. Another goal for Charlie Austin and a mini-starring role for Sam Gallagher.
I was not at all confident of the outcome of this , after the disaster that was the last home game against Leicester. There were ten changes from that game, with Elyounoussi the only starter from Saturday remaining in the line-up. Amongst the other changes, it meant a first club appearance for Angus Gunn in goal.
The first half was strange, Saints seemed to have the upper hand, without actually achieving very much and Brighton looked far more dangerous on the few occasions that they managed to get anywhere near the Saints penalty area. Having said all of that, in the 8th minute Elyounoussi did have an almost point-blank header stopped by Button in the Brighton goal. Unfortunately the following up Maya Yoshida had his shot cleared off the line.
Gabbiadini was once again looking isolated in the sole striker position, but at least he was looking sharp, although without much in the way of service. Saints had way more than 60% possession, but by the 35 minute mark I was looking at my watch, waiting for half-time, so Hughes could sort out the various, obvious, disconnects in the team.
We got to half-time still at 0-0, but with Button clearly the busier of the two goalkeepers during the first half.
Brighton continued the second half in a strangely subdued way, but suddenly came closest to scoring when Gunn had to make a diving save to his left to deny Gyokeres.
Shortly after Armstrong was fouled and Button saved the resulting Ward-Prowse free kick, which fair flew over the wall.
This was a period of end to end stuff, with Gunn again saving from the Swede, Gyokeres.
On 70 minutes, Hughes clearly decided to go for it, taking off Romeu and introducing Sam Gallagher, who immediately made his presence felt. But it wasn't until the double substitution with ten minutes left, until things started to click, Armstrong and Gabbiadini being replaced by Redmond and Austin. Saints were now playing 442, or maybe it was 4321, with Gallagher doing the hod carrying and harrying, with Austin looking for mistakes by the defenders. This particular combination appeared to be working and the chances started to come, with both Gallagher and Austin having attempts saved.
With two minutes left and the very real prospect of penalties, Redmond sent in a great cross to Austin's head and although Button got a hand to the ball, he couldn't prevent the goal. 0-1 and Saints managed the remaining time to achieve a much needed win.
Although, maybe not the breakthrough win of the League Cup away win at Millwall of the 2014-15 season, it was the sign of a team shape emerging and it was really pleasing to see the strong performance from Sam Gallagher.
We don't have long to wait for the next match, as they are away to Crystal Palace this coming weekend.
One goal was enough
27 Button
35 Barclay
58 Collar
30 Bernardo
29 Suttner
16 Jahanbakhsh
7 Kayal (Connolly 90')
8 Bissouma - Booked 32'
42 Gyokeres
13 Groß (Pröpper 63')
9 Locadia
6 Stephens
11 Knockaert
14 Balogun
22 Montoya
23 Steele
24 Pröpper
44 Connolly
28 Gunn
5 Stephens
3 Yoshida
35 Bednarek - Booked 82'
33 Targett
8 Davis - Booked 41'
14 Romeu (Gallagher 70')
16 Ward-Prowse
17 Armstrong (Redmond 81')
11 Elyounoussi
20 Gabbiadini (Austin 81')
4 Vestergaard
6 Hoedt
10 Austin
15 Gallagher
22 Redmond
38 McQueen
41 Lewis
Tuesday 28th August 2018
Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 13,651
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