Rookie error proves costly for Black Cats
SOUTHAMPTON 1 Rodriguez (85) SUNDERLAND 1 Defoe (80 pen)
JAY RODRIGUEZ’S first Premier League goal since March 2014 salvaged Southampton a draw after Jermain Defoe thought his penalty had handed Sunderland a priceless away victory.
Stand-in Black Cats goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s mistake gifted Southampton the leveller, the Sunderland deputy allowing Rodriguez’s strike to slip under his body in a cruel late blow.
The match was Pickford’s chance to come of English Premier League age following Vito Mannone’s elbow injury, but the 22-yearold’s mistake proved hugely costly on the south coast.
England forward Rodriguez has spent the last two years battling serious knee ligament trouble, and even in midweek new Saints boss Claude Puel suggested he could go on loan for regular match action.
However the 27-year-old will insist his late goal underscores his lasting abilities, as he hit the Premier League net for the first time since picking up a brace in Southampton’s 4-0 win over Newcastle at St Mary’s on March 29, 2014.
Former Tottenham, Portsmouth and West Ham striker Defoe’s unrivalled sharpness so nearly sealed a vital win on the road for David Moyes’ men, but in the end both sides remained winless in the league after three matches.
New Sunderland boss Moyes insisted Pickford could prove himself worthy of a regular run ahead of this clash, with Mannone now out for three months. But the former Manchester United and Everton manager may well look to the transfer market to add competition among his goalkeepers now, even if Pickford, who made his debut in an FA Cup loss to Arsenal in January, still faces a bright future.
Southampton’s neat start yielded no clearcut chances, and after that initial 20-minute dominance, the first half receded into mediocrity.
Tadic drove just over from 20 yards, Charlie Austin forced Pickford into a smart save and was then ruled offside when through on goal.
Black Cats defender Lamine Kone spurned the chance of the half, though, heading way over when unmarked inside Southampton’s box.
Jack Rodwell failed to angle his approach-play header to a team-mate when Saints’ defensive shape let them down again in the box just minutes later.
And then Italian forward Fabio Borini failed to do justice to Patrick Van Aanholt’s fine inside ball, unable to dig out a shot when twisting awkwardly.
Twice Lynden Gooch picked Oriol Romeu’s pocket, hounding Saints’ defensive midfielder to fine effect. On both occasions, however, the final ball failed to match the determination.
Austin’s galling afternoon continued unabated, the sluggish striker falling prey to two quick offsides, failing to capitalise on penetrative approach play.
Borini’s weak free kick failed to trouble former Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster in a rare Sunderland foray, before Redmond could not find the finish to match his scything run for the hosts.
The home crowd called for the introduction of Shane Long, and boss Claude Puel duly obliged.
Tadic proved a curious withdrawal, when all and sundry expected Austin to receive the hook.
The former QPR hitman did indeed retreat to the bench soon afterwards, however, Puel mustering all his firepower by sending Rodriguez into the fray.
While Saints were tinkering, Sunderland’s far more settled set-up quickly paid big dividends.
The sharpest striker on the pitch all day, Defoe had just kicked himself for failing to pull the trigger in the box when another chance came his way.
Defoe so totally outfoxed Jose Fonte that the hapless Saints’ captain upended Sunderland’s veteran forward in the box.
The wily Wearside man stepped up and duly buried the resulting penalty.
But just when the perennial relegation strugglers were dreaming of a precious away victory, up stepped Rodriguez to drill home, thanks to Pickford’s error.