Saints’ latest recruit Djenepo hits right note
Ralph Hasenhuttl says Moussa Djenepo’s goalscoring is better than his singing after the £14million winger made a remarkable impact to set Southampton on course to their first points of the season. Sub Djenepo had been on the pitch for just 78 seconds when he bent home the opening goal in their 2-0 win at 10-man Brighton. The Mali international’s strike came a day after he sang in front of Saints’ squad as part of an initiation. While manager Hasenhuttl was not impressed with the 21-year-old’s vocal performance, he was delighted with his contribution on the field. “Yesterday after dinner he had to sing for the team and he did it in an interesting way,” said Hasenhuttl.
“I think his scoring is better than his singing. But I like this guy.” Brighton went down to 10 men after Florin Andone was sent off for a reckless tackle on Yan Valery. Southampton wrapped up the win in added time thanks to Nathan Redmond.
Brighton boss Graham Potter, had no complaints about the sending off, saying: “It was a bad challenge.”
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has no doubt James Maddison will have impressed watching England boss Gareth Southgate in his side’s 2-1 victory at Sheffield United. Maddison set up Jamie Vardy for the striker’s first goal of the campaign and, after Oli Mcburnie had headed the Blades’ second-half equaliser, Foxes substitute Harvey Barnes crashed home a stunning winner.
“There’s not too many players who can play the pass he (Maddison) made for the first goal,” Rodgers said.
“His touch and his through ball were sensational. He’s at a really high level this early in the season.
“He’s a player of quality and I’m sure Gareth will have been having a good look.”
Javi Gracia admits he is facing a race against time to fix Watford’s season following a third straight defeat. Sebastien Haller scored a brace to secure West Ham’s first three points of the campaign with a 3-1 win at Vicarage Road. Asked if he was worried about his Watford future, manager Gracia said: “It is true. What can I say? The dynamic is not good.” Abdoulaye Doucoure fouled Manuel Lanzini in the area after just 59 seconds. West Ham captain Mark Noble made no mistake from the resulting penalty. Andre Gray hauled the hosts level, before Haller scoring his first goals for the London club.