Prowse that!
FREE-KICK KING DOES IT AGAIN
JAMES WARD-PROWSE is chasing David Beckham’s Premier League free-kick record after denting Leeds’ survival bid.
The England midfielder was backed for a place in Gareth Southgate’s Qatar-bound World Cup squad after expertly curling home the 13th direct free-kick of his Premier League career.
Only superstar Beckham has notched more from outside the box with 18 goals for Manchester United.
“A free-kick there is like giving them a penalty,” admitted Leeds boss Jesse Marsch.
Ward-Prowse (right) showed Southgate how useful he would be at the World Cup with a 49th-minute equaliser, pegging back Jack Harrison’s first-half strike which would have had Leeds cruising to top flight safety.
Boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “The respect for Ward-Prowse is there. It won’t be the last one he scores. We need to get more free-kicks around the box!
“Prowsey is always a threat there.
He is not easy to read, because he can score both corners.
They don’t know what is coming but it is coming!
“He deserves to be part of the
English national team. The set-pieces he delivers, he is one of the best in the world at this. He is physically unbelievable and plays nearly every minute for us.” Leeds would have been worthy winners, but failed to capitalise on a blistering early pace and pressure. A point wasn’t a disastrous return with rivals Watford and Burnley losing and they have built up a cushion which should prove enough. But Marsch will have to find more of a cutting edge to progress this team and he said: “We knew it would be a tight game. You feel the pressure from Ward-Prowse’s service. If we could just slow ourselves down and make the last pass cleaner we would have more goals but there is a clear style, and we don’t give much away.” Leeds’ ferocious intensity in the first half was rewarded when Harrison grabbed the opener. Marsch’s side had hit a high tempo early on and tenacity led to their 28th-minute strike. Raphinha raced to the byline, exploited a lucky rebound and squeezed in a cross.
Keeper Fraser Forster was at full stretch and could only flick into Harrison’s path, and he prodded home.
Southampton levelled just after half-time with Ward-Prowse inch perfect into the top corner from 25 yards, after Luke Ayling tripped Kyle Walker-Peters on the edge of the box as he burst towards goal.
The second-half was an even scrap, with Leeds edging possession and chances and they had a late penalty appeal waved away after sub Joe Gelhardt went down in the box under Mo Salisu’s challenge.
England star Kalvin Phillips made his comeback from the bench after three months out injured and said: “I am happy to be back. It was a good point. I don’t know how he’s not given a penalty.”