PELLEGRINO: OUR SPIRIT CAN SAVE US
SOUTHAMPTON manager Mauricio Pellegrino spoke about losing the fans’ patience after the 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool two weeks ago. Pellegrino remains one of the favourites for the exit door after just one win since November but the importance of the point his side salvaged here cannot be underestimated. As controversial as it was pivotal, Manolo Gabbiadini’s stoppagetime strike was the difference between 16th and 18th places. Southampton are out of the bottom three for the second time this year — on goal difference. The Italian’s first goal in 17 games came after it appeared he had pulled Burnley defender Kevin Long to the ground before beating goalkeeper Nick Pope. But it was the equaliser Pellegrino and the 1,000 travelling supporters craved after Ashley Barnes’s goal in the 67th minute. We probably should have seen it coming. Saints have not lost any of their eight Premier League games in which they started in the relegation zone since December 2012. Pellegrino said: ‘I believe in the character and attitude of my team and that is the most important thing right now.’ The introduction of academy graduate Josh Sims, 21 next month, for his third appearance of the season made a difference to Southampton. The winger came on for James Ward-Prowse and was key in the build-up to Gabbiadini’s leveller, supplying the cross for Guido Carrillo, who set up the Italian. Sims was part of the England Under 17 side who won the European Championship in 2014 and Pellegrino said: ‘Josh is a young player who is getting better. It is good news for us.’ BURNLEY (4-3-2-1): Pope 7; Lowton 7, Long 6, Mee 7, Ward 6; Hendrick 6, Cork 6, Westwood 6; Gudmundsson 7, Lennon 7; Barnes 6.5. Subs not used: Lindegaard, Taylor, N’Koudou, Marney, Vokes, Wood, Bardsley. Scorer: Barnes 67. Booked: Barnes. Manager: Sean Dyche 6.
(4-2-3-1): McCarthy 6; Cedric 6, Stephens 6.5, Hoedt 6, Bertrand 6; Lemina 6, Romeu 6.5 (Boufal 75min, 6); Ward-Prowse 6 ( SIMS 68, 7.5), Tadic 6 (Gabbiadini 81), Redmond 6; Carrillo 6.5. Subs not used: Forster, Hojbjerg, Pied, Bednarek. Scorer: Gabbiadini 90. Booked: None. Manager: Mauricio Pellegrino 7. Referee: Bobby Madley 7. Attendance: 20,982.