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Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Saints unveiled their attractive (not!) black and red change kit for the season's opener at Derby, but the outfit didn't appear to be a lucky omen. With the season barely underway, we saw Lundekvam stretchered off, so Baird moved to the centre to partner debutant Pele.
Southampton had even more recent signings in midfield where Viafara and Skacel were both given starts. This was a gamble, and it didn't look likely to come off as Saints struggled to mount any threat to the Derby goal.
The home side had a deserved interval lead when Johnson beat Baird to a loose ball and finally netted after his first effort was saved by Davies. Saints were much improved after the break, either a result of wise words at half time or the overdue introduction of Wright-Phillips for the injured Fuller.
Everyone expected Skacel to attempt to convert a free kick just outside the box, but it was Bale who neatly placed a shot into the top corner and then Wright-Phillips opened his account with a splendid near post strike. Southampton were now good value for their lead, and Wright's lob was just one of several near misses.
We eventually paid for them as Peschisolido was given unexpected space to run into and equalise in the 90th minute. An away win would have been a great start, but this is Southampton, and we never win our first game.
LSSC Man of the Match: Pele. Ever since 1958, anyone called Pele was bound to make man of the match on their Southampton debut - for over 45 years an admittedly unlikely event. It's as well to give the Pele name thing an airing in game one. No more now, promise. And he was MotM on merit.
