The Irish Mail on Sunday

Ralph’s rescue is completed

- By Peter Carline

IT was not an impossible job when Ralph Hasenhuttl took over at Southampto­n, but it was certainly an unenviable one. With nine points from 16 games they were loitering in the relegation zone, some 14 points behind Bournemout­h.

After this pulsating end-to-end draw that gap is now four, but far more importantl­y, Southampto­n secured Premier League survival.

With 29 points from 21 games, the job Hasenhuttl has done is remarkable. The Austrian admitted taking the job was a risk, saying: ‘I am a manager who wanted to have this situation. The easy way is not my way. If you look at my history, I always go to clubs who are struggling.’

Shane Long continued his impressive scoring run to put the Saints ahead but they were 2-1 down at the break with Dan Gosling and Callum Wilson on target. The hosts went back in front when James Ward-Prowse and Matt Targett scored before Wilson hit a late leveller. SOUTHAMPTO­N (4-2-2-2): Gunn 5.5; Valery 6.5, Bednarek 6.5, Stephens 5.5; Bertrand 6; Ward-Prowse 7, Romeu 6 (Targett 46min, 6.5); Hojbjerg 7, Redmond 7; Ings 6 (Armstrong 81), Long 6.5 (Austin 88). Booked: Romeu, Long. Subs (not used): Forster, Ramsey, Lemina, Sims, Austin. BOURNEMOUT­H (3-4-3): Boruc 5; Mepham 5.5 (Fraser 23, 7), S Cook 6, Simpson 6; Clyne 5.5 (Solanke 72, 6), Gosling 6.5 (Hyndman 53, 6), Lerma 6, Ake 6; Brooks 6, King 7, Wilson 8. Booked: Gosling. Subs (not used): Begovic, Mousset, Ibe, Surridge. Referee: G Scott 5.

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