Callum Paterson was the hero in South Wales on Saturday as Cardiff saw off a struggling Southampton by a single goal.
Make-shift striker Callum Paterson made the most of his gifted opportunity on Saturday, sliding the ball past Alex McCarthy, which turned out to be the only goal of the game. This goal gave Cardiff a vital lift and lands them in an ever more comfortable position of 14th – four points clear of the relegation zone.
Saints self-destruction
Individual errors have been the bane of Southampton’s season so far, but none will be quite as blatant as Jannik Vestergaard’s. Without trying to sound too harsh, it is simply unacceptable that an extremely well-paid professional makes mistake such as these and it is these mistakes which continue to haunt Southampton with possible relegation. All the Dane needed to do was play a ten-yard pass back to his goalkeeper to clear the lines. Instead, under little pressure, he tried to play the ball with the outside of his right foot and scuffed it straight into the path of the perhaps bewildered Paterson who was put through one on one with Saints keeper, McCarthy.
The Scot made no mistake in sliding the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net to secure his fourth goal of the season along with Cardiff’s three points. Paterson normally plays in defence for the Bluebirds, however injuries forced Neil Warnock to play him up front and the gamble paid off with the ‘striker’ causing Southampton problems from the off with his sheer strength and size.
Cardiff’s defensive joys
Cardiff City managed to keep their first clean sheet since August, which is an achievement which can be held high for a newly promoted side. It’s safe to say that Cardiff are beginning to settle into their new life in the Premier League – winning three of their last six games. After going their first nine games in the season without a win, its quite the turn around from the Welsh side. With a lot of teams floating in and around the relegation zone, it’s the perfect opportunity for Cardiff to cement their status in the Premier League and build on their side and hopefully improve even further.
A long road ahead for Ralph Hasenhuttl
Ralph Hasenhuttl has endured a firm metaphorical kick up the backside during his introduction into the Premier League. He initially watched his side get thoroughly outclassed by Spurs and then received his first managerial defeat for the Saints against the Bluebirds as he took to the dugouts – a team Southampton really need to be beating if they are to remain a Premier League side.
The Austrian has brought hope into the hearts of the Saints’ fans. However, realism may have to take over once again. With no wins in 14 games and their worst start to a season campaign in 20 years, it really is going to take a miracle to turn this around. Even though Hasenhuttl’s reputation is good, his quality has not yet been proven in the Premier League, arguably the most difficult league in the world.
Kick them while they’re down
The Saints can have a strong argument for some questionable refereeing, yet again. The first incident was during the first half when a lovely piece of interplay between Stuart Armstrong and Nathan Redmond opened up space for Armstrong in the box; the Scot then took the ball past Victor Camarasa whose outstretched leg tripped the Saints man up. It is fair to say that spot kicks have been given for a lot less in the Premier League and Armstrong was particularly upset about the decision going against him.
As if this wasn’t a huge blow, the Saints misery continued as Nathan Redmond felt aggrieved not to be given a spot kick in the second half. The Englishman received a firm kick from Bruni Manga in the Bluebirds penalty box which bought the Englishman to the floor. If the infringement was committed anywhere else on the pitch it would almost certainly have been a free-kick causing the Saints further grief. With luck seemingly not being on Southampton’s side, hard work and perseverance are going to have to prevail if the Saints want to retain their Premier League status.
