Luka’s luck turns with late winner
SHANE LONG scored his first Premier League goal in 1,320 minutes but Saints’ dismal home form continued as Crystal Palace came from behind to win at Southampton in the top flight for the first time since 1990.
It was a sweet night for Palace matchwinner Luka Milivojevic who had failed to convert a penalty in added time against Manchester City on Sunday.
Saints manager Mauricio Pellegrino is under fire from many of the club’s fans who sang “you’re getting sacked in the morning” after James McArthur and Milivojevic scored to cancel out Long’s strike.
It leaves Saints just a point off the relegation zone while Palace climbed out of it.
Saints chairman Ralph Krueger gave his backing to Pellegrino before kick-off, denying that the Argentinian’s job is in danger. The club hierarchy feel that the Virgil van Dijk saga has cast a shadow over the first half of their season and are expecting better in the new year after saying the Dutch defender left the club “off balance” and “under a cloud”.
Pellegrino’s men had the chance to climb to 12th with a win and Long had a chance to put them in front after just 15 seconds after a clever flick from Dusan Tadic.
The Irishman fired high over the bar and his long goal drought seemed destined to continue.
On a boggy pitch, the opening minutes were littered with errors from both sides. The first clean strike on goal came from Saints’ Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who forced Wayne Hennessey to tip his rising drive over the bar.
Saints had the impetus and took the lead when full-back
SOUTHAMPTON
Jeremy Pied found Long in the six-yard box and he gratefully slammed the ball home.
But the game was stretched and Palace were finding plenty of room on the break. Andros Townsend forced Alex McCarthy to push his skidding 25-yard drive round the post.
Last year was a dismal year for Southampton at home and they had not tasted victory at St Mary’s since thrashing Everton at the end of November.
And, despite the 1-0 half-time advantage they did not look likely to end that record against the Eagles as conditions worsened after the break.
Roy Hodgson’s side finally had a clear sight of goal when Christian Benteke spun on the edge of the area forcing a low stop from McCarthy. That opportunity spurred the Eagles on to find an equaliser.
This time Benteke was the provider, knocking down Townsend’s deep cross for McArthur to volley home from close range.
Townsend was again the provider as Palace found a winner, scored brilliantly by Milivojevic, who swept home first time from the edge of the area.
SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1):