Redmond has touch of that Thierry class
SOUTHAMPTON 1 Redmond 58 WATFORD 1 Capoue 9
SOUTHAMPTON’S summer signing Nathan Redmond delivered a perfect response to his new manager Claude Puel’s proclamations that he can follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry and transform himself from a winger into a prolific striker.
Puel trained a young Henry at Monaco in the 1990’s and he says there are similarities between the pair that are waiting to be drawn out of Redmond, a £10million buy from Norwich.
Redmond has a long way to go but this display brought a sense of confirmation to the 22-year-old’s potential in a new central role, as his goal earned Saints a point against 10-man Watford.
The visitors had to play the last 15 minutes without Ben Watson, who was sent off for hauling down Shane Long as he raced clear.
Southampton, the Dr Who of the Premier League, have undergone the annual regeneration of their squad and also have a new boss.
Ronald Koeman has been lost to Everton while Victor Wanyama, Saido Mane and Graziano Pelle have all exited stage left.
Puel, therefore, was delighted to see his flagship signing Redmond hit the ground running and will also have been pleased by the sure-footedness of substitute Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg, who signed from Bayern Munich to reinforce the midfield.
However, it was the visitors, with a new manager of their own in Italian Walter Mazzarri, who took the lead on nine minutes.
The midfield worked the ball across the pitch and Nordin Amrabat crossed high towards the far post. Troy Deeney battled in the air, nudging the ball down for Etienne Capoue to score.
Mazzarri was trialling a new 3-5-2 formation and it seemed to work well against Puel’s new diamond system.
Amrabat flashed a dangerous ball across goal but Deeney and Odion Ighalo could not convert.
In the second half, Southampton responded, Redmond curling an effort towards the far corner which was palmed wide by Heurelho Gomes. From the resultant set pieces, the keeper came for two corners in a manner only he can, flapping wildly and putting his side in danger. On the first, he got away with it, as Redmond’s effort was blocked but from the next corner, Gomes’ clearance again fell to Redmond, who fired in on the volley.
Puel said: ‘The first half was no good but it was better in the second. I liked the reaction of the players.’
Hornets boss Mazzarri said: ‘We are very happy. We played the way I like. I have only been working for one month and we will improve.’