Southampton 2-1 Watford: Saints fightback eases pressure on Ralph Hasenhuttl

James Ward-Prowse's superb free-kick earned Southampton a precious three points at home to Watford

Late goals from Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse helped Southampton come from behind to beat fellow strugglers Watford and ease the pressure on Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The hosts appeared set for a damaging defeat until Ings bundled home Sofiane Boufal's cross with 12 minutes remaining.

Ward-Prowse then found the top corner with a superb free-kick six minutes later to complete the turnaround.

Ismaila Sarr had given the Hornets a deserved lead in the first half, capitalising on poor defending by Jack Stephens before lifting the ball beyond Alex McCarthy for his first Premier League goal.

Southampton's first league win since September moves them above Norwich and to within two points of safety, while Watford remain six points adrift of 17th place.

Second-half substitutions inspire Saints

Only Southampton's profligacy prevented them from leaving Arsenal's Emirates Stadium with all three points last weekend.

Hasenhuttl's side managed 21 shots against the Gunners in north London, but they started anxiously against the Hornets and almost fell behind within the first two minutes.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's stray back-pass fell straight into the path of Sarr, who could only drill his shot into the arms of McCarthy.

Saints remained nervous in possession as the half wore on with Stephens bundling an attempted clearance into the path of Sarr, allowing the Senegal forward to race clear and stroke home the opener.

Boos greeted Michael Oliver's half-time whistle, but there was little change to the pattern of play until the introductions of Boufal and Shane Long 13 minutes into the second half.

Republic of Ireland forward Long twice struck the woodwork, seeing his header tipped on to the crossbar by Ben Foster before scuffing another shot against the post from close range.

Ings eventually restored parity after fine work by Boufal on the right as he worked his way into the box with some excellent footwork, before Ward-Prowse curled a magnificent free-kick beyond Foster to send the home supporters into ecstasy.

Hornets made to rue missed opportunities

Quique Sanchez Flores admitted he was under pressure in the build-up to this game, having picked up just seven points from a possible 27 since replacing Javi Gracia as head coach in September.

The Hornets were much the better side in the early stages, restricting their hosts to efforts from distance while attacking with purpose at the other end.

Sarr, who was handed his third Premier League start of the season in place of Andre Gray, was a constant threat to the home defence, easily shrugging off Stephens before lifting the ball confidently over McCarthy for the opener.

The summer signing went close to doubling his tally either side of half-time, volleying straight at McCarthy from close range in the first half before sending a curling effort over the crossbar in the second.

Flores will feel his team should have been out of sight by that stage, but there appeared little danger of Watford surrendering their narrow lead as the visitors continued to hold firm.

That all changed in the final quarter of an hour, however, as Southampton's late pressure finally told.

Man of the match - James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

James Ward-Prowse not only earned Saints a precious three points with his trademark free-kick, he also attempted more shots (three) than any of his team-mates at St Mary'sOver-reliant on Ings and Ward-Prowse? - the stats

Southampton have won from a losing position at half-time for only the second time in their last 44 Premier League games (D7 L35). Watford's haul of eight points after 14 games is their worst ever return at this stage of a Premier League campaign. Southampton ended a run of eight Premier League games without a win (D2 L6). Watford have registered just one win in their past 18 Premier League games, drawing six and losing 11. Watford's Sarr is the 27th Senegalese player to score in the Premier League, with only Nigeria boasting more different scorers (31) among African nations. Ings has netted seven of Southampton's 15 Premier League goals this season, (46.7%), the highest proportion of a side's goals by a player in the competition in 2019-20. Each of Southampton's last 10 Premier League goals has been scored by either Ings (6) or Ward-Prowse (4). Only Matt le Tissier (7) has scored more direct free-kick goals for Southampton in the Premier League than Ward-Prowse (5).

'Let's do it again on Wednesday' - what the managers said

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, speaking to Match of the Day: "The first half was a completely different performance to last weekend and it was unbelievable it could happen.

"At half-time, we were very critical and in the second half it was a good reaction. After 10 minutes we made two subs and they had a big impact in the game and it was a big big win for us.

"We have not had one good start so far this season. Now we have to push it away and our crowd deserve it. Let's do it again on Wednesday [when they host Norwich]."

Watford head coach Quique Sanchez Flores, speaking to Match of the Day: "At half-time we had the feel that we were in a match we wanted. But they went up another level and we didn't do the same."

On his future: "I cannot control it. When we lose we can say sorry to the fans, the owners and players, but we have the same feeling, we want to fight."

What's next?

Southampton host Norwich City in another key game at the bottom of the Premier League on Wednesday, 4 December (kick-off 19:30 GMT), while Watford travel to high-flying Leicester City at the same time.

Line-ups Match Stats Live Text

Line-ups

Southampton

1McCarthy

2Cédric SoaresSubstituted forValeryat 76'minutes

5Stephens

35Bednarek

21Bertrand

12Djenepo

16Ward-Prowse

23Højbjerg

22RedmondBooked at 48minsSubstituted forBoufalat 57'minutes

9Ings

20ObafemiSubstituted forLongat 57'minutes

Substitutes

3Yoshida

7Long

10Adams

14Romeu

19Boufal

28Gunn

43Valery

Watford

26Foster

21FemeníaSubstituted forFoulquierat 82'minutes

15Cathcart

6Mariappa

11Masina

25Holebas

16Doucouré

29Capoue

19HughesSubstituted forChalobahat 74'minutes

23Sarr

7DeulofeuSubstituted forGrayat 67'minutes

Substitutes

1Gomes

9Deeney

14Chalobah

18Gray

20Quina

36Foulquier

37Pereyra

Referee:

Michael Oliver

Attendance:

26,929

Match Stats

Home TeamSouthamptonAway TeamWatford

Possession

Home64%

Away36%

Shots

Home11

Away6

Shots on Target

Home6

Away3

Corners

Home6

Away7

Fouls

Home6

Away10

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Southampton 2, Watford 1.

Full TimePosted at 90'+7'

Second Half ends, Southampton 2, Watford 1.

Posted at 90'+6'

Corner, Watford. Conceded by Alex McCarthy.

Posted at 90'+5'

Attempt missed. Andre Gray (Watford) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Abdoulaye Doucouré.

Posted at 90'+4'

Corner, Watford. Conceded by Yan Valery.

Posted at 90'+4'

Foul by Moussa Djenepo (Southampton).

Posted at 90'+4'

Adam Masina (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 90'+3'

Offside, Watford. Adrian Mariappa tries a through ball, but Adam Masina is caught offside.

Posted at 90'+2'

Corner, Watford. Conceded by Yan Valery.

Posted at 90'+1'

Foul by Jan Bednarek (Southampton).

Posted at 90'+1'

Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 90'

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 90'

Foul by Andre Gray (Watford).

Posted at 87'

Offside, Watford. Adam Masina tries a through ball, but Ismaila Sarr is caught offside.

Goal!Posted at 83'

Goal! Southampton 2, Watford 1. James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the top left corner.

SubstitutionPosted at 82'

Substitution, Watford. Dimitri Foulquier replaces Kiko Femenía.

Posted at 81'

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 81'

Foul by Etienne Capoue (Watford).

Goal!Posted at 78'

Goal! Southampton 1, Watford 1. Danny Ings (Southampton) right footed shot from very close range to the top right corner. Assisted by Moussa Djenepo.

Posted at 77'

Attempt blocked. Shane Long (Southampton) left footed shot from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Danny Ings.

Posted at 76'

Ryan Bertrand (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 76'

Foul by Ismaila Sarr (Watford).

SubstitutionPosted at 76'

Substitution, Southampton. Yan Valery replaces Cédric Soares.

SubstitutionPosted at 74'

Substitution, Watford. Nathaniel Chalobah replaces Will Hughes.

Posted at 72'

Corner, Watford. Conceded by Ryan Bertrand.

Posted at 72'

Jack Stephens (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 72'

Foul by Andre Gray (Watford).

Posted at 71'

Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Will Hughes.

Posted at 68'

VAR Decision: No Penalty Southampton.

Posted at 68'

Attempt saved. Shane Long (Southampton) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Sofiane Boufal.

SubstitutionPosted at 67'

Substitution, Watford. Andre Gray replaces Gerard Deulofeu.

Posted at 67'

Sofiane Boufal (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 67'

Foul by Kiko Femenía (Watford).

Posted at 66'

Offside, Watford. Will Hughes tries a through ball, but Gerard Deulofeu is caught offside.

Posted at 64'

Foul by Danny Ings (Southampton).

Posted at 64'

Ben Foster (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 63'

Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Craig Cathcart.

Posted at 63'

Attempt blocked. Sofiane Boufal (Southampton) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.

Posted at 60'

Attempt blocked. James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Posted at 58'

Moussa Djenepo (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

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Source: bbc.com