AIR SCARE FOR BORO
But Carrick men still clip Saints’ wings
SOUTHAMPTON 1
A Armstrong 12
MIDDLESBROUGH 1
Latte Lath 90 MICHAEL CARRICK revealed Middlesbrough endured a hair-raising 24 hours before they stormed back to blow a big hole in Southampton’s hopes of automatic promotion.
Emmanuel Latte Lath headed in a 90th-minute equaliser for the visitors after Adam Armstrong had put Saints in the driving seat (keeper Seny Dieng, bottom).
The comeback came after 70mph winds battered the south coast and forced a hairy two attempts at landing into Southampton Airport on Thursday.
Boro boss Carrick said: “We didn’t get to the hotel until about 10pm last night after our flight was abandoned coming into land. We were getting blown all over the place as we were coming into land and then we ended up having to take off again.
“We almost got diverted to Birmingham. It was tasty. Some of the boys were slightly tetchy, it wasn’t pleasant.
“Some of the boys are talking about getting onto the coach on the way back!”
Boro have 11 injuries, including four centre-backs on the sidelines, which forced midfielder Jonny Howson into the backline. His horrifically sliced attempt to clear Kamaldeen Sulemana’s cross gifted Armstrong the opener – his 19th goal of the season and 30th he has been involved with in the league.
“To go 1-0 down and Jonny playing centrehalf, it felt like a long day but I’m proud of them,” said Carrick (with Alex Gilbert, left). “The boys showed what they were capable of against a strong side and with the jabs the boys have had with injuries.
“A lot of teams have had injuries but it has been a revolving door. The boys have adapted unbelievably well.
“I was desperate for the boys to get something after their effort.”
Ivorian striker Latte Lath’s late header was his 10th of the season and made Saints pay after Che Adams missed a series of gilt-edged chances.
“Che will be frustrated he hasn’t scored,” said Southampton manager Russell Martin. “But it isn’t the reason we lost.
“We still need to defend properly and win the game 1-0. I’m really disappointed and frustrated. We should have scored three or four. If you aren’t going to score enough to win it, you need to defend with your lives.
“The goal is rubbish, it is nowhere near as good a chance as any of ours but he has taken it well. What better way to take out our frustration than on Monday in a really big game away at Ipswich.”