Sigh of relief: The atmosphere at St Mary’s was full of excitement as the fans were relieved to see the Saints score their first goal in three games against Palace. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Southampton reasserted their top-four credentials in the Premier League after Sadio Mane's late strike clinched a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace on Tuesday.
With the race to qualify for the Champions League hotting up, this was an essential victory for the Saints, who had gone three games without a win or a goal.
Manager Ronald Koeman, who did not think his side was confident entering the game, was relieved with the result. "We didn't have that total confidence against Palace, who were much more organised," said Koeman. "It was tough to create and score. It wasn't the best game we have played this season, we were more lucky than [we have been] in the last few weeks but the players deserved this result.”
The 51-year-old also hailed the fans for their relentless support and believes that his team will rise from their recent run of poor form. “These are key moments in the season. The support of the fans was amazing, that was very important,” said Koeman. "The players, from the first minute of the season showed character and spirit. The best medicine [after a defeat] is to win."
Palace boss Alan Pardew, however, believed that it should have been his side who left St Mary's with all three points. "In the first half Southampton were by far the better side in a game they had to win," said Pardew. "Second half we were the better team and had two great chances. We should have also had a penalty and it is disappointing having let in a soft goal.”
Benteke ends Villa’s losing run
Christian Benteke's penalty in additional time ended a run of seven successive defeats for Aston Villa as they emerged 2-1 winners over West Brom in their Premier League clash on Tuesday.
Benteke restored the hosts’ one-goal advantage after Saido Berahino had levelled for the visitors following Gabriel Agbonlahor's early strike.
Villa's win is their first since beating bottom side Leicester three months ago and sees them climb out of the bottom three with a three-point advantage over QPR and Burnley.
"This result will give us confidence," said Agbonlahor. "We believe we can stay up and we're not going to look back now. We've not had any luck all season but we did today with the late penalty."
Villa's lack of goals this season has become something of a running joke but Tim Sherwood’s side showed immense character to silence their critics.
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