Saints’ goal drought was finally ended, as Sadio Mane’s late strike gave Ronald Koeman’s men a vital win over Crystal Palace and lifted them up to fifth place in the Premier League.
Mane coolly chipped over Eagles keeper Julian Speroni in the dying stages of a tense match at St Mary’s to break the team’s run of nearly six hours without finding the net.
Not only did the goal – which came 352 minutes after their last one, also from Mane – send St Mary’s wild, but it helped re-energise the club’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Having not won in their previous three, Saints were given a boost before kick-off, with Toby Alderweireld returning to the squad.
The defender, who had not played since injuring his hamstring in the 1-0 win at Manchester United in early January, was only fit enough for a place on the bench, however.
Koeman made two changes to the side that lost 1-0 at West Brom last Saturday, with Eljero Elia and Filip Djuricic coming in for Florin Gardos and Dusan Tadic, prompting a switch back to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Saints dominated possession from the start, with Eljero Elia producing the first effort of the night in the sixth minute, but he was off-balance as he attempted a right-footed strike from 25 yards, sending the ball well over the bar.
It was a similar result five minutes later, as Djuricic’s shot from just inside the area found the stands.
Palace were being far more reserved than they were in their 3-2 FA Cup win on the same ground in January, and, although they offered nothing in attack themselves, Saints had still not mustered a shot on target midway through the half.
They looked as if they might create an opening after half-an-hour, as a Palace corner was cleared and Djuricic broke forward, but the midfielder was hauled down by Damien Delaney as he attempted to play a through pass for Mane, leading to a booking for the Eagles captain.
Fraser Forster got a little lucky ten minutes from the break, as he spilled a routine cross from Yannick Bolasie in his six-yard box, but he was able to fall on the ball before Wilfried Zaha could slide in to convert.
The first shot-on-target of the night finally came in the 40th minute, as a Saints corner fell to Eljero Elia.
His low shot towards the near post was saved by a diving Julian Speroni, but the Palace keeper could not hold on.
Unfortunately, Graziano Pelle could only stab the loose ball wide from close range, as the striker’s drought continued.
Neither manager made a change at the break, although Palace at least displayed a bit more adventure as the half began, and nearly went in front within three minutes of the restart.
Ex-Saint Jason Puncheon controlled a pass behind him in the area, spun, and unleashed a low effort, which was fortunately straight at Forster, who saved well.
The visitors went even closer shortly afterwards, as Zaha fed Bolasie down the inside-right, with Forster making a good stop from his low, angled drive.
Saints then failed to clear the danger, allowing Zaha to get on the ball in the area. His effort across goal beat Forster, but rolled onto the post and rebounded out, allowing the hosts to finally scramble it away.
Koeman made his first change on 59 minutes, swapping Elia for Tadic.
Saints were still being frustrated, but came close to a breakthrough on 68 minutes, only for Scott Dann to slide in and brilliantly block Pelle’s effort, after Nathaniel Clyne’s pass had picked him out inside the area.
Moments later, the hosts went even closer, as Pelle flicked a Tadic corner across the face of goal. Maya Yoshida stuck out a leg, but could only divert it wide of the far post.
With Pelle struggling, Koeman opted to substitute him on 70 minutes, sending Shane Long on in his place.
After Tadic curled a 25-yard free-kick over, the Saints boss made his final change, taking off Djuricic and putting on James Ward-Prowse.
Forster had to get behind a Martin Kelly drive, before Wanyama burst through at the other end and had an effort deflected wide.
It didn’t look like it was ever going to come, but then finally, as the clock ticked just past 82 minutes, the goal arrived.
Ward-Prowse drove forward through the middle and hit a low shot from 20 yards that Speroni saved.
Mane reacted quickest to the rebound, though, and lifted the ball calmly over the Palace keeper to send St Mary’s wild.
There were a few tense moments afterwards, but Saints stood firm on what could prove to be a big night in the course of their season.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel