Unseen hero keeps Southampton in the tie at Middlesbrough | OneFootball

Peretz Daniel preserved Southampton's clean sheet in the 21st minute with a low save from a close-range header, as Middlesbrough and Southampton finished 0-0 in the Championship semi-final first leg.

He sprang left to push away Morgan Whittaker's header after Matt Targett's cross, a reflex stop that set the tone for the visitors' night.

Daniel then denied Tommy Conway from point-blank range (40.). Moments later, he tipped Targett's skidding drive around the post (40.).

In the first minute of second half stoppage time, he leapt to beat away Leo Castledine's towering header, capping a busy finale. He finished with four saves, three from inside the box, underlining his control of the goalmouth.

With Boro piling up 21 attempts and eleven corners, his positioning and handling kept Saints steady under sustained pressure. That security ensured the Saints take a level tie back to the south coast.

The Saints host Boro next.