BEND IT LIKE JWP
Ward-Prowse now closing in on Becks’ free-kick record
JAMES WARD-PROWSE is chasing David Beckham’s Premier League free-kick record after denting Leeds’ survival bid.
The England midfielder was backed for a place in Gareth Southgate’s Qatarbound World Cup squad after expertly curling home the 13th direct free-kick of his Premier League career.
Only superstar Beckham has notched more from outside the box with 18 goals for Manchester United.
“A free-kick there is like giving them a penalty,” admitted Leeds’ American manager Jesse Marsch.
Ward-Prowse showed Southgate how useful he would be at the World Cup with a 49th-minute equaliser for Southampton, pegging back Jack Harrison’s first-half strike which would have helped United to top-flight safety.
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl (right) said: “The respect for Ward-Prowse is there. It won’t be the last one he scores.
“We need to get more free-kicks around the box! It is not so easy to get them there.
“Prowsey is always a threat there. He is not easy to read, as he can score both corners. They don’t know what’s coming but for sure it is coming!
“He deserves to be part of the English national team, and all the set-pieces he delivers. He is one of the best in the world at this.
“He is physically unbelievable and plays nearly every minute for us.”
Leeds would have been worthy winners, but failed to capitalise on blistering early pace and pressure.
A point wasn’t a disastrous return with rivals Watford and Burnley losing and the Whites have built up a cushion ahead of the drop zone which should ultimately be enough.
But Marsch will have to find more of a cutting edge to progress this team.
He said: “We knew it would be a tight game.
“You feel the pressure from Ward-Prowse’s service. If we could just slow ourselves down and make the last pass cleaner we would have more goals but there is a clear style, and we don’t give much away.”
Leeds’ ferocious intensity in the first half was rewarded when Harrison grabbed the opener.
Marsch’s side had hit a high tempo early on and tenacity led to their 28th-minute strike.
Raphinha raced to the byline, exploited a lucky rebound and squeezed in a cross.
Keeper Fraser Forster was at full stretch and could only flick into Harrison’s path, and he prodded home. It was Harrison’s sixth Premier League strike of the season, all in 2022, and only Harry Kane and Ivan Toney (eight each) have more this year.
Southampton levelled just after half-time with Ward-Prowse inch-perfect into the top corner from 25 yards.
Luke Ayling tripped Kyle
Walker-Peters on the edge of the box as he burst towards goal.
The England star then bent a perfect trademark set-piece over and around the wall for his eighth club goal of the campaign.
The second half was an even scrap, with Leeds edging the possession and the chances.
They had a late penalty appeal waved away after sub Joe Gelhardt went down in the box under Mo Salisu’s challenge but whistler Anthony Taylor was unmoved.
England star Kalvin Phillips made his comeback from the bench after three months out injured and admitted: “I am happy to be back.
“It was a good point. I don’t know how he’s not given a penalty.”
Hasenhuttl was also not disappointed with the point in such a hard-fought game.
He said: “It was the expected game, a bit like ping-pong.
“The pressing was an intense one. We tried to play.
“We worked well and we were close to winning but we take the point from an intense atmosphere and intense game and that is OK.”