Saints too good for resolute Cherries

Saints 2, Bournemouth 0
Saints had to make changes for the Carling Cup after their disappointing opening game defeat, in the sense that Schneiderlin was away on international duty, and so Wotton deputised. Other alterations were caused by Lallana being fit enough to start (Dickson to full back, Harding dropped) and by the horses for courses approach (Seaborne in for Jaidi in case of lively opponents).
But for the fans, they had to make changes, period, and that meant Connolly out, Oxlade-Chamberlain (now simply known as Chamberlain, apparently) in, with Puncheon operating in a somewhat different role. Critically, though, Lambert could only make the bench, and after dominating early proceedings again, Saints played as if they had an effective holding player up front… which they didn’t. Once opponents Bournemouth had negotiated that opening period, it was hard to see which side would strike first, and indeed there were times when you couldn’t see a goal coming at all.
However, the game did open up before and after the break, with half chances coming and going in an energetic, but certainly not stylish, derby game. Feeny’s pace was troubling Dickson, who was substituted, but then class eventually told, with the often frustrating Puncheon releasing Lallana who scored with what is becoming a trade-mark clipped shot into the top corner. That seemed to take a lot of the sting out of the visitors, before Saints brought on Lambert for Barnard. The difference showed immediately, with the striker creating a real chance with his first touch and then showing how his all round strength helps the whole team by bringing other players into the game – and as Bournemouth struggled to regroup, Chamberlain found himself clear. The teenager just got to the ball before goalkeeper Jalal and kept his head well to recover his balance and score into an empty net. Another poor performance by the team, but the win may do them the world of good.
LSSC Man of the Match: Adam Lallana, who went off with a new injury soon after his fine goal.

01 Davis
05 Dickson (Harding 46)
06 Fonte
12 Butterfield
19 Seaborne
10 Puncheon
14 Hammond
16 Wotton
20 Lallana (Holmes 79)
26 Oxlade-Chamberlain
09 Barnard (Lambert 84)