Roy Hodgson’s side were unlucky not to come away from St. Mary’s with all three points after a disappointing final 15 minutes.
Crystal Palace opened the scoring just minutes before half time. After controlling much of the first 45 minutes, it was the least that the Eagles deserved. Wilfried Zaha dispatched a low drive down to the goalkeeper’s right after a brilliant first touch that took the ball away from Jan Bednarek.
This was following some excellent wing play and vision from Andros Townsend, who was fouled on the edge of the box but the advantage played by Andre Mariner was used to its full potential.
The renowned partnership of James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho were proving tough to break, and it was going to take something special if Southampton were going to equalise. The 77th minute saw James Ward-Prowse find the vital goal. The build-up play between Matt Targett and Nathan Redmond was lightning quick down the left-hand side of the field, and the low cross from Targett made its way through to Ward-Prowse who made no mistake.
The late goal made for an interesting final ten minutes. The importance of the game for both sides meant that tensions were high and you could feel that something in the game was about to blow. And blow it did. Zaha was sent off in the 88th minute after an altercation with the referee, putting Palace down to ten men for the dying embers of the game.
Despite having ten men, the Eagles can feel hard done by, as their dominance within the game was evident. However, this result means that Hasenhuttl’s men are now unbeaten in their last three premier league games, gaining seven points from a possible nine. A huge turnaround considering their position, the last time these two sides played.
Call for VAR
VAR is a topic of conversation which is highly debated, as its use in the World Cup and FA Cup has been questionable. Its introduction was intended for decisions that the referee is unsure of or has missed that may cause a large impact in the game, not every single decision. However, it can be said that VAR would have been put in good use yesterday as Jack Stephens should almost certainly have been sent off following a nasty challenge on Townsend.
After a horrible first touch, Stephens was left stretching in an attempt to win the ball back, which resulted in him leaving the ground with his studs up. Reckless challenges like this should be red card offences and ruled out of the game. Very similar challenges from Vincent Kompany and Virgil Van Dijk have been witnessed in recent weeks however, yet neither were sent off.
This sets the tone for other defenders which will eventually lead to a shocking injury. The introduction of VAR would highlight how dangerous these kinds of challenges are and would quickly get them out of the game, if referees began taking appropriate measure to deal with them.
Hasenhuttl’s Tactics Prevail
Roy Hodgson’s 4-3-3 initially seemed to be working against Hasenhuttl’s standard five at the back but his change of in-play tactics seemed to be effective yet again. Youngster Jan Valery was brought off for Stuart Armstrong with 20 minutes to go.
Changing the formation to a 4-3-3 to counteract Palace and provide more firepower in the midfield. The change ultimately worked as the Saints managed to get a goal back and rescue a point. This isn’t the first time that Hasenhuttl has had to readjust mid-game, and it’s not the first it has worked. Saints fans are worshipping the ground he walks on at the minute, and they have every reason to.
Comparing what they have now to Mark Hughes at the start of the season is like trading in a Renault for a Rolls Royce. While only managing to earn a point, it was a point from a losing position, and considering points were normally lost from winning positions, it’s a huge step forward for the saints.
James Ward-Prowse
Ward-Prowse is a player who has had huge potential from the very start of his professional career at the saints. He’s been very unlucky under managers not to get a consistent starting position in the team. His dead ball ability and vision should really warrant him more games.
Hasenhuttl can be praised for placing his trust in the young Englishman and he has proved his worth in the team scoring three goals in his last three games. The injured Lemina will find it difficult to get back into the team with Oriol Romeu providing defensive stability within the side.
His versatility can also be praised as he has been playing in a midfield role, as well as filling in in right wing-back. Hasenhuttl can really be praised for his use of young players within the side, and they have been performing. It is a sign of a side that have faith in their manager.
Palace Set-Up
Hodgson can be praised for the way he has set his side up against a Saints team who were brimming with confidence after winning two games in a row for the first time since April 2017.
His 4-3-3 relied on both attacking wingers to also defend and when Southampton had the ball, Townsend and Zaha would cut back and make the midfield a compact five, which proved very hard to penetrate. This led to many misplaced passes and gave Palace opportunities to win the game.
This can be looked at extremely positively by Roy Hodgson as his side will continue to battle it out to avoid relegation come the end of the season. Wilfred Zaha still remains Palace’s most critical player, but his dismissal will prove a task as they face Fulham in game week 26, a side who will be high on confidence after beating Brighton 4-2, and also battling to avoid relegation.
Relegation battle intensifies
Both Southampton and Crystal Palace sit four points above the relegation zone and have crucial games this weekend within the relegation battle. Southampton facing Burnley, also on 23 points, whilst Palace face Fulham, not far behind on 17 points. Big six-pointers that may end up defining the final positions come the end of the season.
