An early
start for the game, which meant a prompt start for me. Gym, gardening and
shower and before you knew it… I was in front of my computer (where I watched
the match).
There was
one point (at the beginning of the game) I thought, here we go again. Then…
Son scored
four goals in a spectacular display as we acquired our first Premier League win
of the season (hurray!). Son combined with Kane for all four of his goals as we
took control after Danny Ings' good finish from a tight angle gave Southampton
a first-half lead. Son's first goal came on the stroke of half-time when he ran
on to Kane's pass before driving across McCarthy and into the back of the net.
Second half.
Second
half usually means something to eat or drink, but, at this time, I just
switched on Radio five live to see what they were saying… and then back to the
TV. Sometimes you get fed up with the regular pundits on the box. Same faces,
same shit!
Kane and
Son opened up Southampton again as we took the lead two minutes after the
restart, Kane sending Son through, one-on-one and he made no mistake.
Southampton struggled, after initially starting well. They grappled Son's
superbly timed runs behind the defence, and he eventually got his third, racing
on to Kane's clipped pass before slotting in another one. Kane then provided
his fourth assist of the day with a brilliant cross for Son, who coolly chiselled
McCarthy, before Kane got in on the scoring himself when he stabbed in from
close range after Erik Lamela's shot had been pushed on to the post.
Then a
handball, penalty and the referee pointed (a hushed sound came over the stadium….
Which wasn’t really surprising as there was nobody there) – but first a quick
check on VAR – and then Ings shot home. This was in stoppage time. It wall all
over, bar the shouting… not from the stadium, but our supporters' homes.
This was
a much-needed win for us after an appalling start, where we were beaten 1-0 by
Everton. A couple of days later we had a scrappy affair with the Bulgarian side
Lokomotiv Plovdiv, which we won 2-1 (after they got 2 of their men sent off). In that match, Alli was Left out and again for
the trip to St Mary's. The reason, according to Mourinho, "too many players" in certain
positions.
For a
long time in the Southampton game, Mourinho's courageous move looked destined
to be the talking point as we profoundly lacked creativity in midfield.
Aside from
a couple of disallowed goals for Kane, we barely troubled the Southampton
defence, and even when we did manage to score right before the half-time
whistle, it came from our only shot and only touch in Southampton's box in the
entire first half. But… after the break, Kane and Son took control, taking
advantaging of Southampton's high line and slow defence as they showed an
understanding that appeared almost telepathic at times. Kane assisted just two
league goals in the entirety of last season. Still, nearly every pass he
provided in the second half of this game was to set up Son’s goals as he became
the first player in Premier League history to assist a single team-mate four
times in the same match. Now we've got Bale, which means we have the potential for
a front three that could rival the very best in the world.
Thoughts
We
started off tricky and managed to pull it around. Is our victory over the
Saints things to come? I hope so! We've got a tricky couple of weeks, and we
need all the players we have got… apart from Bale, who will probably be out for
a couple of weeks because of his injury, which he got while playing for Wales.
The stats
Since
Ralph Hasenhuttl took charge of Southampton in December 2018, his side have
squandered more points from winning positions than any other Premier League
side (37).
we are
now unbeaten in four Premier League games away from home (W2 D2), our longest
run without defeat on the road since January 2019 (four straight wins under
Mauricio Pochettino).
All of
Son’s four goals have been assisted by Harry Kane, the first time a player has
assisted another player's hat-trick since May 2003, when Thierry Henry helped
Freddie Ljungberg's hat-trick for Arsenal against Sunderland.
Southampton
striker Danny Ings has netted the opening goal in 11 different Premier League
games since the beginning of last season, more than any other player in the
competition.
We have
failed to keep a clean sheet in each of our last 10 Premier League matches
against Southampton, our worst run against a single side since 13 games without
a shutout between May 2001 and May 2018 versus Leicester City.
Harry
Kane is only the sixth player to assist four goals in a single Premier League
game, and the first-ever English player to do so. Kane only assisted two league
goals in the entirety of last season.
Danny
Ings has either scored (five) or assisted (one) in each of his five appearances
against Spurs for Southampton in all competitions, registering more direct goal
involvements versus Tottenham than any other side since his move to the Saints.
Son and
Harry Kane have combined for more Premier League goals than any other duo in the
competition since Son moved to England in August 2015 (24 goals).
Kane is
the first player to be directly involved in five goals in one Premier League
game (one goal, four assists) since Mohamed Salah versus Watford in March 2018
(four goals, one assist). It is also the second time Kane has managed to do so
(also May 2017 versus Leicester).
So, there
you have it… now bring on the next game!
What next for us?
Well, we
have a trip to Leyton Orient in the League Cup on Tuesday, 22 September (18:00
BST). A couple of days later back to the Europa League and then Premier league
football. Another hectic week for us. Which follows on from last weeks hectic
games. There is no rest for the wicked (as Mourinho wants to see his players…
not nice guys, as nice guys don’t win anything! Amen to that).
Best Regards, Glenn
COYS!
Comments
Post a Comment