PREMIER PARTY SHARP DOUBLE HAS SAINTS ON BRINK OF PROMISED LAND
SOUTHAMPTON have almost dragged themselves over the line. It has been seven years since they were last in the Premier League and two goals from Billy Sharp and one from Jos Hooiveld last night took them to the brink of automatic promotion. But they could have made it easier for themselves. They have been in the top two since the opening day — and top for most of the season — but it took a win against a side who have had their attention on the other end of the table to steady the ship. Saints had won just one of their last four games, meaning West Ham had the chance to replace them in the top two on goal difference — and that prospect was clearly the wake-up call they needed. Manager Nigel Adkins insisted that first place remains the priority. ‘Our aspiration is still to win the league,’ he said. ‘We’ve got two games left and we’re striving to get a maximum six more points. At this moment we’re concentrating on winning the Championship. ‘It was a big disappointment to lose against Reading last Friday but the way the players responded, great composure, great professionalism, to come away from home and get the victory is very pleasing.’ Two goals in the opening 10 minutes certainly settled the nerves of the fans who were making a 300-mile round trip to pack the away stand; they will have to go double that distance if they want to watch their side attempt to clinch the points they need to confirm promotion at Middlesbrough on Saturday. In the fifth minute Daniel Fox swung in a corner from the right with his left foot and Hooiveld rose unmarked to power the ball in with his head from four yards out. Five minutes later they were two ahead. Adam Lallana got to the byline on the left and crossed deep to Richard Chaplow. He touched the ball back to Sharp, who took a touch and finished into the bottom-right corner. And they made the result safe early in the second half. Lallana proved a handful again — this time on the right — and cut back to Sharp (below) who added his second with a simple finish from eight yards. The two goals were his sixth and seventh since signing for £1.8million from Doncaster in January. Tommy Rowe pulled a goal back for Peterborough from close range with four minutes to go. It was only a consolation but by the final whistle the home fans were cheering as much as the away ones — Coventry’s defeat by Millwall meant they were safe. Boss Darren Ferguson said: ‘It feels different to promotion — more relief than joy. We set out at the start of the season to stay in the Championship and we’ve done that.’ It’s taken seven years — but two more points and Southampton have made it.