RALPH’S RELIEF
Saints boss celebrates huge win by doing a Klopp
WITH seconds to go, Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn collected a cross and Ralph Hasenhuttl simply could not contain his joy. He started to celebrate, jumping up and down and punching the air as i f he was J ur gen Klopp in disguise.
Referee Michael Oliver had not even blown his whistle but he knew it was coming. Those four agonising added minutes were at an end and Southampton had done a job on Brighton.
Referee Oliver then confirmed the win and the Hasenhuttl celebrations continued. It showed how priceless the Austrian felt these three points were as his side fight to secure their Premier League status.
Brighton’s Chris Hughton was less than amused with Hasenhuttl’s full-time antics, however, for which the Saints boss apologised afterwards. ‘It was such a big feeling that I forgot to shake the other manager’s hand,’ said Hasenhuttl.
‘I understand that he was maybe a little bit angry about me. I was five seconds too late but then I came and shook his hand.’
Hughton accepted his apology and added: ‘It’s an emotional game and the emotions are as high when you win as when you lose.’
Brighton looked like a side who figure they are already as good as safe, even though they are far from it. They have an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium to follow this Saturday and were largely passengers here.
Only when they were trailing 1-0 in the closing stages did the sleepwalking Seagulls finally wake up but Southampton held on to secure a win that could prove pivotal come May.
This took the Saints to 33 points — seven off that magic 40 mark which their manager openly admits is their target. Liverpool are their next opponents but Hasenhuttl has them organised and they are bound to give the title chasers as good a game as anyone. News of a goal for Burnley inside two minutes at Turf Moor was not welcomed by those in the Amex Stadium’s away end. It moved Southampton one position closer to the bottom three and would only serve to add to the nerves.
There was a scrappy start to this clash — certainly it was not billing up to be the ‘El Clasicoast’ some supporters had hoped for — and the Saints came closest to taking the lead.
Nathan Redmond had Martin Montoya in front of him but a couple of step-overs later he had shaken his marker. He unleashed a shot that stung the palms of Mathew Ryan.
In the 34th minute Danny Ings found himself with the goal at his mercy. Yet just as he pulled the proverbial trigger Bernardo slid in to produce a goal-denying block.
With 53 minutes on the clock Brighton gave possession away again, this time through Yves Bissouma in midfield, and it proved costly.
Redmond charged for goal and slid a pass into the path of PierreEmile Hojbjerg, who dinked the ball over Ryan for 1-0. The away end erupted. Southampton had dropped an unrivalled 20 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, including five in their last three away games. How they wanted to hold on to this lead.
On t he hour mark Redmond struck a low shot towards the far corner. It beat Ryan but not Lewis Dunk who, unaware of whether it was on or off target, made sure to clear the line anyway.
Then with 20 minutes remaining Brighton woke up. Montoya smacked as hot against the crossbar from close to 25 yards while Gunn stayed stood still like a statue.
Gunn then had a moment to forget when he came to collect a cross but spilled it. Davy Propper had a goalkeeper-less goal in front of him but fell under pressure from Hojbjerg. Brighton supporters screamed for a penalty but referee Michael Oliver gave nothing.
In stoppage time Gunn caught a cross and Hasenhuttl started his celebrations, which included briefly turning into a cheerleader as he led the travelling supporters in their chants.
With a face like thunder Hughton walked down the tunnel. Brighton are still in a fight for survival, but did not act like they knew it here.