Long roasts Villans as Smallbone gets a start
IRELAND striker Shane Long got on the scoresheet again yesterday, bagging the opener as Southampton saw off Aston Villa 2-0 at St Mary’s Stadium.
The Tipperary man struck after eight minutes when he bundled in Moussa Djenepo’s cut-back at the near post.
This was Long’s seventh goal in his last seven games against Villa on a day when Ireland underage star Will Smallbone made his Premier League debut.
It was a vastly improved display from Southampton following last weekend’s home defeat by Burnley, and moved them to the relative safety of 34 points.
‘It was a fantastic atmosphere and the guys enjoyed it. It’s important to have a fortress here again,’ said manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson felt the Premier League mid-season break helped them to a much-needed 1-0 win over Newcastle, their first victory of 2020.
Patrick Van Aanholt’s 45thminute free- kick was the difference between the two clubs, although the Eagles would have added to their tally had visiting goalkeeper Martin Dubravka not been in such good form. He made key saves to deny Gary Cahill and Scott Dann in the first half, while Jordan Ayew was unable to grab the goal his performance deserved.
After losing to Everton on February 8, Palace’s players were able to enjoy some down time before returning to training this week with a bounce in their step.
‘We encouraged the players to take the wife away and take the family away and forget about football,’ said Hodgson.
Elsewhere, Eddie Howe admitted Bournemouth ‘fell apart mentally’ after being denied an equaliser before having a penalty awarded against them by VAR in their 3-0 loss to Burnley.
The Cherries saw Josh King’s first-half effort chalked off for a suspected handball against Philip Billing after the ball came off his shoulder, before Matej Vydra scored following the break to give the hosts the advantage.
Harry Wilson’s equaliser after a counter-attack was then ruled out by
VAR and a penalty to Burnley awarded for Adam Smith’s handball, which Jay Rodriguez converted, while Dwight McNeil added a third before full-time.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder played down any feelings of disappointment after his team dropped points in their pursuit of a top-four place.
The Blades had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Brighton on their return to action as hopes of European football next season were dealt a minor reality check at Bramall Lane yesterday.
It looked like they were on their way to matching Chelsea’s win against Tottenham earlier in the day when Enda Stevens blasted them in front. However, Neal Maupay quickly equalised.
‘It’s only a very, very slight tinge of disappointment, that’s all that is. The players couldn’t have given me anything more,’ said Wilder.