SOUTHAMPTON 1 Depoitre seals a

immediate punishment.

Head coach David Wagner made three changes to the side which beat Watford, with most of them enforced.

Tom Ince came into the number 10 position for the long-term injured Elias Kachunga, while Chris Lowe – who picked up a knock against Watford – dropped to the bench, with Scott Malone coming into the first XI.

Danny Williams was also selected as teammate Jonathan Hogg sat out a one-match ban due to his red card received against Watford.

The game started with a good tempo, with Rajiv Van La Parra having the first chance of the match on the five-minute mark after Collin Quaner found him in the box, but the Dutchman fluffed his lines, allowing Fraser Forster to collect.

Aaron Mooy also had a golden opportunity minutes later, but saw his effort from the penalty spot blocked by the legs of Saints captain Steven Davis.

Town kept pressing for the opener and looked the better side for the majority of the opening exchanges, with Forster producing a superb save to deny Christopher Schindler after the centre back headed Florent Hadergjonaj’s whipped cross firmly towards the top corner – with Quaner’s rebound deflected safely over the bar.

But – as too often we’ve seen this season – Town didn’t make their dominance tell, and Southampton went ahead in the 24th minute through Austin.

Wesley Hoedt won the first header from a corner, with the forward stooping at the back post to convert.

Town will be aggrieved at the manner in which they conceded the corner, however, with Jack Stephens seemingly pushing Danny Williams in the build-up.

Austin further demonised himself to Town fans later in the half,