Ralph Hasenhuttl records first Saints win to end Arsenal's unbeaten run
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A late goal by substitute Charlie Austin gave relegation-threatened Southampton a thrilling 3-2 victory over Arsenal on Sunday in new Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuettl's first home game.
It was the Londoners' first defeat in 23 games and meant they lost ground on fourth-placed Chelsea, while Southampton moved out of the bottom three.
Danny Ings, back after injury, headed two fine goals in the first half from equally good crosses by Matt Targett and Nathan Redmond.
In between, Mkhitaryan drew Arsenal level with a header of his own and early in the second half he scored via a big deflection.
Yet in the 85th minute Austin, who had come on for the tiring Ings, headed in a cross by Shane Long.
The win sent Southampton above Burnley into 17th place while Arsenal remained fifth in the table. Reuters
Preview
What time does it start?
Southampton vs Arsenal kicks off at 1:30pm (GMT)
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports’ Premier League and Main event channels from 12:30pm. Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the game via the Sky Go app.
The match will also be available on NOW TV by grabbing a day pass for just £7.99.
Highlights will be shown at 10:15pm on BBC Two.
Player to watch…
Laurent Koscielny: The 33-year-old returned to first-team action on Thursday following his Achilles injury which had kept him out of action since May. The Arsenal captain was largely untroubled by the Qarabag attack but he may face a tougher test against the likes of Charlie Austin when they travel to the south coast. The Gunners have won just once at St Mary’s in their last six visits, conceding 10 goals in the process, and despite Southampton’s plight this season history is certainly on the side of the Saints.
Form guide…
Southampton: DLLDLL
Arsenal: WWWDWW
Odds…
Southampton to win: 14/5
Arsenal to win: 19/20
Draw: 14/5
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
Danny Ings headed home Matt Targett's excellent whipped cross to give Southampton the lead...
But Henrikh Mkhitaryan clinically headed home at the end of an Arsenal move down the left to level for the visitors at St Mary's...
Brighton 0-2 Chelsea, 41 minutes
It has been a rather sloppy affair from both teams at the Amex Stadium this afternoon, with neither team able to force much beyond the two Chelsea goals.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal, 43 minutes
Southampton have three centre-halves, including the giraffe-like Jannik Vestergaard ready to compete for a cross into the box from a corner, so it is a little curious when it is taken short to Nathan Redmond, who cuts inside, keeps cutting inside, keeps cutting inside and finally has his shot blocked.
Odd.
GOAL! Southampton 2-1 Arsenal (Danny Ings, 44 minutes)
Another superb header from Danny Ings and Southampton lead again!
Once more Ings is superbly found, this time by the particularly lively Nathan Redmond, but Ings still has plenty to do to beat Bernd Leno.
Ings' weight is going backwards but he strains the sinews in his neck to power the ball back towards whence it came, looping it up into the air and watching it drop into the bottom corner.
Two superb headers. 2-1.
Half time at the Amex. It hasn't been a vintage half from Chelsea by any means, but a goal and an assist from Eden Hazard give them a 2-0 lead at the interval.
And half time along the South Coast, too. Danny Ings has used his head in impressive fashion twice, and Southampton have a deserved 2-1 lead against a disappointing Arsenal.
What do we make of that then? Two intriguing first halves, particularly at St Mary's.
If you fancy some half time reading, may I direct you towards a very important and typically brilliantly written column from Jonathan Liew:
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