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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Southampton secured their Championship status with a rollercoaster win that saw them relegate Leicester, who had been a place above them in the table.
Southampton fans are veterans of last day dramas, but it all seems to have become too much for Lucketti who absented himself from a game against Sheffield United, the team who still own him.
Saints didn’t begin terribly well, and went behind after 23 minutes when Quinn found himself unmarked and on the end of a deep right wing cross. His headed finish was impressive, but we must ask where the marking went; Wright would be an obvious positional culprit, but replays showed him performing essential duties in the middle. Southampton’s left flank, in contrast, was enjoying some successes through Euell and Surman, so much so that the Blades made an early tactical substitution in an attempt to close things up. It didn’t do them any good as Saints got lucky in the 42nd minute when Surman’s deflected cross fell perfectly for Saganowski to head home. That would have deflated the visitors, but they should have been buoyed by the lack of progress being made by play-off rivals Watford and Wolves; Saints in contrast were disappointed by the failure of Stoke to set up the expected easy win over our main rivals, Leicester. Nevertheless it was a much better performance from our lads after the break, rewarded by a John goal on 53 minutes. Wiser heads than John’s reflected that the booking for removing his shirt was not only unnecessary but potentially dangerous - but more of that later.
Reports of a Stoke goal were inaccurate, but with Coventry collapsing at Charlton, a win at St. Mary’s would mean survival whatever Leicester did. However the team do not find it easy to turn leads into wins and substitute Stead announced his arrival with an equaliser on 66 minutes after Saints got unlucky with the bounce of the ball on our right hand side.
Happily there was barely time to go through the permutations again before John turned nicely and wrong-footed Kenny with a shot into the corner. 3-2 to Saints and thanks to Charlton, their fate effectively in their own hands. Perason bought on Licka for Idiakez who was in danger of becoming embroiled in a feud with Speed, but it was John who let us down, earning a second booking for a clumsy foul. It would have been a terrible way for the striker to end what was for him at least a successful season, had the team failed to hang on - but although possession was conceded far too readily, everybody held firm.
At the end thousands invaded the pitch as though the team had won promotion, and we did all deserve and need something to celebrate. However, there’s still a lot to worry about, with football’s equivalent of Boris Johnson waiting to return as Chairman. Some reports also suggest that Nigel’s reward for restoring a bit of pride and passion to the playing side will be to be replaced by a man who’s already walked out on us mid-contract and mid-season. And you wouldn’t rule out that bloke from the rugby returning either. Be afraid, be very afraid.
LSSC Man of the Match: Andrew Surman, although it would have been Stern John but for a moment of madness. Richard Wright came close with some exceptional saves and clean handling when most needed.
• Southampton manager Nigel Pearson:
"Relief is the overwhelming feeling at this time.
"At a number of points it looked like we were going to come out on the wrong side, so obviously I'm delighted.
"I didn't know the other scores - my staff did but I just wanted to focus on the game. We were up against a side in form - it was never going to be easy."
• Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell:
"For a small period at 1-0 we were in the play-offs - I wish the referee had blown up then.
"It was important that we gave it a go and we did.
"You merit where you should be over 46 games but credit to them. It was an incredible atmosphere - pure theatre."
Southampton: Richard Wright, Jermaine Wright, Powell, Perry, Surman, Viafara, Safri, Idiakez (Licka 79), Euell, Saganowski (Lallana 73), John.
Subs Not Used: Davis, Wright-Phillips, Pericard.
Sent Off: John (80).
Booked: John.
Goals: Saganowski 42, John 53, 69.
Sheff Utd: Kenny, Geary, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Halls, Cotterill (Gillespie 38), Speed, Tonge, Quinn, Hulse (Stead 63), Sharp (Shelton 56).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Armstrong.
Booked: Speed, Shelton.
Goals: Quinn 23, Stead 65.
Att: 31,957
Ref: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire).
