A FRED own goal saw Saints secure their first point of the 2021-22 Premier League season despite being pulled back in the second-half by Mason Greenwood.
Ralph Hasenhuttl made changes, in contrast to the opening weekend Everton defeat, that saw a shift in shape and rapid change in on-pitch personnel when it was needed.
At half-time, leading 1-0, Hasenhuttl hooked Theo Walcott in favour of centre-back Jan Bednarek and changed to a five-at-the-back formation.
Although Greenwood levelled, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba were nullified throughout and Saints have opened their account for the season – to the relief of fans.
Although there were a number of grumbles due to a disastrous turnstile error that saw many supporters miss opening minutes, they’ll have gone home happier for a well-fought football match.
Here’s how you reacted to the result in the Daily Echo comments section:
pavsaint: "Happy with that better performance from saints disappointed with goal conceded but room for optimism."
dualsy: "Good effort all round."
Underground suburbs: "Solid performance to build on. Still improvement required, but a great point, all day long."
Big Burt: "Very pleased with that performance and Ralph proved he had a point to make. Watch out PL, Saints are coming for you."
Junctions 7&8: "Pretty decent performance. "Could have nicked all 3 points but it's a point many would have taken before kick off. Couple more additions and we could turn hard fought draws into wins hopefully. COYR."
Perfect 8 aye i aye i aye: "Lots of positives, Home support, Livramento, Arma, Salisu and Ralph, our heads didn't go down, we held our own, and could have won it. Our season starts now. No looking back."
saint freddie: Oh to have a decent keeper. A very good point Saints
On Twitter, supporters reacted like this:
An emotional rollercoaster as usual watching #saintsfc but god it was good to be back. Brilliant performance and a fine point. pic.twitter.com/Ne2pf0YoYe
— AJustCauser (@AJustCauser) August 22, 2021
Jack Stephen’s might not be a world class centre back, but he bleeds red and white when he play for #saintsfc he gives his absolute all and never shy’s away from a challenge, very under appreciated player IMO
— Jamie pang (@jamiepang) August 22, 2021
Liveramento, 18yrs old, absolute quality.. Armstrong at it again, shame he didn’t get his deserved goal, but very happy with that result.. I’m struggling with Walcott starting tho, but hey 😇 #saintsfc
— Dan Burridge (@St_Burridge) August 22, 2021
Happy with that result! #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/qaLXAhAcNS
— Jenny McGuinness (@McGuinnessJenny) August 22, 2021
This kid is a real talent #saintsfc https://t.co/IIdfVmnaV9
— Dane Emery (@DaneEmery) August 22, 2021
Quality game management from Ralph today. Perfect subs, perfect tactics.
— SaintsFan HQ (@SaintsFanHQ) August 22, 2021
Back him!! #SaintsFC https://t.co/yAHeJIzudQ
Special mention for Tino today. The way he mugged off Pogba and Shaw at the same time was simply brilliant.
— Marc Higgins (@MarcTR4) August 22, 2021
What a player he is and he is going to become something special ⭐️ #saintsfc
How good was that? So good to be back #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/puLj0BkXFr
— Matt James (@mattjamesy) August 22, 2021
Someone enjoyed his first Saints game today ⚽️❤️ #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/TQs7ZQPXwR
— Bryanie Keatings (@BryanieKeatos_7) August 22, 2021
Worth noting how much of a shift Djenepo put in today. Cops flack for not delivering consistently enough, but more and more often he leaves everything on the pitch.
— Ant James (@antonydjames) August 22, 2021
Suits the system. #SaintsFC
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