MOI Elyounoussi scoring his first goal for 434 days and not even being able to celebrate it as his own on the pitch summarised his luck at present.

Photographers uploaded pictures attributing the header to Lyanco and when Saints manager Ruben Selles spoke to the press after the match, he also credited the Brazilian.

It was Norwegian international Elyounoussi with a deft-headed touch on James Ward-Prowse’s corner to give relegated Saints a slim chance at Brighton on Sunday.

That chance, like most others, was not taken and the St Mary’s side fell to a 3-1 defeat as the once-compared Seagulls qualified for Europe for the first time in their history.

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Elyounoussi, 28, is the figure of much malignment on the south coast and he will probably leave the club when his contract expires this summer.

Daily Echo: Southampton's Mohamed Elyounoussi during the Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium. Photo by Stuart Martin..

Just months ago, Selles – for whom this Sunday versus Liverpool is also his final game at the club – said he would love to work alongside Elyounoussi, as well as Theo Walcott, for much longer.

Yet you would do well to find a single supporter – and there must be a few – that will back up and defend Elyounoussi’s place in the Saints squad.

Nathan Redmond has moved on and much of the flak has been redirected in the winger’s direction. Therein lies one problem, he just is not a winger – is he?

Elyounoussi is slow, not particularly skilful and overly cautious on the ball. He has not directly assisted a goal since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal under Ralph Hasenhuttl in October.

Supporters have commented how they feel he is the worst player in the squad and maybe even the club’s worst Premier League player – the feelings are exacerbated by the club’s failure too.  

But only Mohammed Salisu, Kyle Walker-Peters, Gavin Bazunu and Ward-Prowse played more minutes in a Saints shirt than Elyounoussi this season.

He made 32 Premier League appearances and started 25 of those – often, he was called upon by the manager in the ‘tougher’ games.

There were not too many around the club who expected Elyounoussi to have a Saints career at all after being exiled to Celtic for two seasons one year after joining from Swiss side Basel, let alone play 89 times. 

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Daily Echo: Hasenhuttl celebrates after the game with goalscorer Moi Elyounoussi (Pic: John Walton/PA Wire)

But when he did return from north of the border as a Scottish champion, a hattrick against League Two Newport County and a goal against Newcastle United in the same week reinstated him as a valued squad member. 

It goes under the radar now with the advantage of revisionism but Elyounoussi quietly had a good year last campaign – relative to the rest of the squad, of course.

Despite, in the eyes of most, offering nothing this season, three different managers all continued to pick him and have even continued to rely on him.

So why on Earth is that? In a filmed game of ‘Saints Guess Who’ posted to the club’s website, Joe Aribo asked Romeo Lavia if his selected player was ‘fun’?

Lavia, who had chosen Elyounoussi, responded ‘no’, to which Aribo reluctantly admitted he now knew who it was – and went on to win the game on his next guess. 

This is just a bit of pre-season banter and it does not mean anything malicious but it is a hint towards the character of the man – Elyounoussi is disciplined and family-oriented.

Managers love him because he listens to them, wants them to approve of him and – crucially – knows how to put their instructions onto the pitch.

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Elyounoussi has played on both sides of the pitch, filled in at right-wing-back multiple times, as a second striker and can play in varying central midfield roles.

But when the team sheet is released for Sunday's match - with nothing on the line - and your £25million attacking signing is on the bench instead it can be puzzling. 

Without a doubt, one of the reasons he has played so much football is his attitude in versatility. In a squad bereft of leadership and character, Elyounoussi is a safe bet.

It is rather sad that he has not been able to add consistent attacking output to his game or present any evidence of being able to play through the heightened scrutiny.

You could do a lot worse than have a character like Elyounoussi around, as regardless of your opinion it is one position on the pitch you know you can trust tactically. 

Whether Elyounoussi is not good enough for Saints and the Premier League, it is not his fault he makes himself un-droppable in the eyes of his managers.

If a decision is made it is best for all parties he moves on this summer he should move on with the wishes of a committed player who wanted to help the club.