Southampton Dig Deep to End Winless Run Against QPR | OneFootball

What a win. While old habits occasionally reappeared, the Saints players finally put their bodies on the line for the first time in a while, and that’s all that Southampton fans wanted – passion and a desire to hold onto a win like their lives depended on it.

But how did the match unfold, and could this be the start of a winning feeling restored on the South Coast?

The First Half

The first half felt synonymous with the Saints’ overall performances this season. Constantly misplacing passes led to several attacking opportunities breaking down.

A lovely run from Tom Fellows down the right-hand side provided a cross perfectly landing to Jay Robinson, who redirected it to the back post. Left-back Ryan Manning came sprinting to follow the ball and tap it in but was the victim of being bodied by a QPR defender. While penalty shouts were made, the referee swiftly dismissed these claims.

QPR created most of their chances through set pieces – a smart decision given Southampton’s shaky marking. From Flynn Downes making a pivotal block to unmarked forward Rumarn Burrell completely fumbling a massive chance, the warning signs were clear.

The Saints were predominantly defending QPR crosses and balls in behind, leading to 23 clearances being made in just the first half. Adam Armstrong struggled to be an outlet for these clearances, with his lack of physicality and height proving decisive in failing to maintain the ball.

Neither goalkeeper faced a shot on target – fitting for a lifeless first half. An overall snoozefest in the opening 45, which was a complete contrast to what was to follow.

Pure Chaos in the Second Half

Both sides came out unchanged in the second half with points to prove. QPR, winless in three, and Southampton, winless in five. It felt like this upcoming half could shape their momentum as they head closer to the international break. With neither team at their best, it was all to play for…

It took ten minutes for the first goal to arrive. Winger Jay Robinson was unable to control a pass from Harwood-Bellis, which bounced to a QPR defender. But the 18-year-old didn’t let that snatch his eye off the ball, as he went on to counter-press, win it back, and progress it quickly to Armstrong. The Southampton leading goalscorer took it wide and quickly cut it back to Robinson, who kept his composure, took it past a defender, and shot into the top corner – helpfully assisted by a deflection, which lifted it above the goalkeeper.

The Saints have usually dropped off after going in front, without a win when scoring first this season, but they kept it coming. After a spell of half-chances, Leo Scienza finally broke through, carrying the ball from deep, taking it past multiple QPR players with ease and calmly slotting it into the bottom right corner from thirty-five yards out.

Celebrations for the Saints felt like a sigh of relief and a breaking of the shackles, as they had yet to go two goals in front this campaign. But in typical Southampton fashion, QPR brought it back with a superb ball over the top from Jonathan Varane, met with a perfectly timed run from Burrell, who took it round Bazunu and instinctively finished it just three minutes after Southampton doubled their lead.

And what followed was 20 minutes of carnage.

Injury-forced substitutions significantly weakened the Saints, with goalscorers Leo Scienza and Jay Robinson coming off. Substitutions didn’t help either – Downs, Azaz, and Aribo offered little attacking spark, with no offensive pressing or opportunities coming to fruition. Finn Azaz had the chance to make it three but completely overhit the through pass to set up the unmarked Damion Downs, and that was all she wrote for the Saints, attacking-wise.

QPR had a total of twelve corners, with most coming in the dying minutes. The Saints sat back in their 5-4-1 structure, allowing the Hoops to bring the game to the South Coast outfit. Gavin Bazunu momentarily fumbled a shot from Ilias Chair, leading to the most concrete chance for QPR in that hectic final period.

After the Irish goalkeeper took too long taking a goal kick, the referee demanded a corner to be taken as punishment. An unusual decision, but one that meant little, as it led to a simple clearance followed by the final whistle.

Conclusion

Interim manager Tonda Eckert will be relieved to get his first win – and the Saints’ first in five games. While QPR head coach Julian Stephan will be disappointed, his side lacked clear-cut opportunities. They created far more attacking situations in the opposing box but were unable to forge an open chance, given Southampton’s overload in their defensive third.

Eckert understood what this win meant for Southampton, saying:

His first win brings relief, but it’ll mean little without a follow-up against bottom-side Sheffield Wednesday. A second victory could finally spark belief again on the South Coast and reignite their season after a dismal start.