Southampton player ratings as Middlesbrough hit four at the Riverside | OneFootball

Southampton were thrashed 4-0 by Middlesbrough at the Riverside, a pressing display that overwhelmed a reshaped side and fed into bruising player ratings.

According to Sainstmarching.com, Tonda Eckert made five changes, with Joshua Quarshie in for Jack Stephens and Adam Armstrong, Finn Azaz, Caspar Jander and Tom Fellows recalled. Saints began brightly before Boro seized control.

Armstrong, Azaz, Flynn Downes and Fellows all snatched at openings before the break. Fellows then blazed over from 10 yards after Azaz sent him through on the whistle.

Matt Targett slid Morgan Whittaker in from a smart free-kick routine for the opener, the finish slipping between Gavin Bazunu’s legs. Luke Ayling’s long pass exposed Ryan Manning, Sam Silvera tucked in the second.

Manning’s poor clearance gifted possession for Whittaker to make it three, sending Bazunu the wrong way. Bazunu then spilled Hayden Hackney’s tame effort, leaving Alan Browne a tap-in. Full time, 4-0.

Ratings reflected it. Bazunu 4/10, Manning 4/10, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Nathan Wood and Quarshie 6/10. Fellows 6/10 with that big miss, Downes and Jander 6/10, Léo Scienza 5/10, Azaz 6/10 after a mixed display.

Armstrong 5/10, replaced by Cameron Archer on 74 minutes. Cameron Bragg came on for Jander on the hour and took 5/10, Welington and Elias Jelert earned 6/10, Ross Stewart was not rated. Player of the match, Finn Azaz.

Source: Sainstmarching.com