Sport
Southampton held at home after Ipswich Town late leveller
The Saints picked up their first point of the season against the Tractor Boys after Ipswich captain, Sam Morsy, netted in added time to deny Russell Martin’s side of all three points.
After progressing in the cup midweek on penalties against Everton, Southampton looked to build on that performance and carry those positive results into their league games, where they were yet to pick up a point. They faced fellow promoted side Ipswich Town on Saturday, who did the double over the Saints last season.
Four of the starters from the cup match were also chosen to start against Ipswich, including the scorer from that game, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who was a forced replacement to cover for the suspended Jack Stephens. Adam Lallana, Ryan Fraser and Charie Taylor were also called in for the starting 11.
Like they did against Manchester United, Southampton came strong out of the gates, but this time they were able to make their pressure count; the two Southampton academy graduates, Adam Lallana and Tyler Dibling, linked up to give Saints an early lead, as the latter cooly slotted the ball past Arijanet Muric to claim his first Premier League goal.
Ipswich tried to get back into the game immediately, as they applied some pressure of their own on the Southampton backline. However, despite a succession of fast-paced attacks and set pieces, Kieran McKenna’s side couldn’t find a quick leveller.
The Saints were able to get a good spell of possession shortly after, which created a massive opportunity for them to double their lead. Cameron Archer, who missed a penalty in the last game, was fed through by Dibling and was able to sneak between the two Ipswich centre backs and round the goalkeeper, but was only able to hit the post from the narrow angle he created from himself.
Ipswich created some great chances of their own later in the half; Leif Davis had an effort from close range and Omari Hutchinson hit a curler from outside the box, but both were denied by Aaron Ramsdale to keep Saints ahead heading into the break.
Southampton were able to keep some momentum going through to the second half, as they created some great chances early in the half.
Cameron Archer was once again able to slip past the Ipswich defenders but was unable to tap it past Muric in a one-on-one situation. And not long after, Archer was involved again, as Mateus Fernandes slid in a ball across the face of goal, which Archer was unable to covert at the back post.
In the 59th minute, Russell Martin made his first substitutions of the day, taking off Archer, Lallana and Fraser, for Ross Stewart, Lesley Ugochukwu and Ben Brereton Diaz, who looked to close out the game for the Saints and gain some crucial points.
The energy in the game almost boiled over a little later, as arguments broke out after a foul on Jan Bednarek; Flynn Downes and Liam Delap were booked for their actions in the commotion.
Both sides were still creating big chances late on; Brereton Diaz blasted an effort just over the bar from a great position, while Ipswich substitute George Hirst saw his close range header tipped over by Ramsdale as we entered the last few minutes of the game.
But Southampton would end up rueing their missed chances, as in the 95th minute, Ipswich captain Sam Morsy had his shot deflected off Joe Aribo, which guided it into the top corner, out of reach of Ramsdale, breaking Southampton hearts late on.
Despite the bitter ending, the Saints picked up their first point of the season and were able to jump one place up the table to 18th, after Wolves suffered a late defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Russell Martin’s side have just over a week to recover from the bittersweet result, as they take on fellow south coast club Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Monday night.
After progressing in the cup midweek on penalties against Everton, Southampton looked to build on that performance and carry those positive results into their league games, where they were yet to pick up a point. They faced fellow promoted side Ipswich Town on Saturday, who did the double over the Saints last season.
Four of the starters from the cup match were also chosen to start against Ipswich, including the scorer from that game, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who was a forced replacement to cover for the suspended Jack Stephens. Adam Lallana, Ryan Fraser and Charie Taylor were also called in for the starting 11.
Like they did against Manchester United, Southampton came strong out of the gates, but this time they were able to make their pressure count; the two Southampton academy graduates, Adam Lallana and Tyler Dibling, linked up to give Saints an early lead, as the latter cooly slotted the ball past Arijanet Muric to claim his first Premier League goal.
Ipswich tried to get back into the game immediately, as they applied some pressure of their own on the Southampton backline. However, despite a succession of fast-paced attacks and set pieces, Kieran McKenna’s side couldn’t find a quick leveller.
The Saints were able to get a good spell of possession shortly after, which created a massive opportunity for them to double their lead. Cameron Archer, who missed a penalty in the last game, was fed through by Dibling and was able to sneak between the two Ipswich centre backs and round the goalkeeper, but was only able to hit the post from the narrow angle he created from himself.
Ipswich created some great chances of their own later in the half; Leif Davis had an effort from close range and Omari Hutchinson hit a curler from outside the box, but both were denied by Aaron Ramsdale to keep Saints ahead heading into the break.
Southampton were able to keep some momentum going through to the second half, as they created some great chances early in the half.
Cameron Archer was once again able to slip past the Ipswich defenders but was unable to tap it past Muric in a one-on-one situation. And not long after, Archer was involved again, as Mateus Fernandes slid in a ball across the face of goal, which Archer was unable to covert at the back post.
In the 59th minute, Russell Martin made his first substitutions of the day, taking off Archer, Lallana and Fraser, for Ross Stewart, Lesley Ugochukwu and Ben Brereton Diaz, who looked to close out the game for the Saints and gain some crucial points.
The energy in the game almost boiled over a little later, as arguments broke out after a foul on Jan Bednarek; Flynn Downes and Liam Delap were booked for their actions in the commotion.
Both sides were still creating big chances late on; Brereton Diaz blasted an effort just over the bar from a great position, while Ipswich substitute George Hirst saw his close range header tipped over by Ramsdale as we entered the last few minutes of the game.
But Southampton would end up rueing their missed chances, as in the 95th minute, Ipswich captain Sam Morsy had his shot deflected off Joe Aribo, which guided it into the top corner, out of reach of Ramsdale, breaking Southampton hearts late on.
Despite the bitter ending, the Saints picked up their first point of the season and were able to jump one place up the table to 18th, after Wolves suffered a late defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Russell Martin’s side have just over a week to recover from the bittersweet result, as they take on fellow south coast club Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Monday night.