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)
Southampton 2-1 Arsenal, 46 minutes
And they nearly do immediately...
It is a deft flick round the corner from Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who looks to have slotted the ball through Alex McCarthy's legs but the Southampton goalkeeper just about does enough to keep it out.
Close.
Brighton 0-2 Chelsea, 48 minutes
An almighty scramble in the Brighton box and Eden Hazard should score his second, N'Golo Kante perhaps disrupting him as he looks to shoot. Both Kante and Pedro have efforts as the ball ricochets hither and thither, but Brighton survive on this occasion.
Southampton 2-1 Arsenal, 51 minutes
Jan Bednarek welcomes Alexandre Lacazette to the game with a choice challenge as Lacazette turns him down the Arsenal left.
A clear booking.
GOAL! Southampton 2-2 Arsenal (Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 53 minutes)
Oriol Romeu dilly-dallies in possession deep in his own half, and is dispossessed as Arsenal press well.
The ball breaks for Henrikh Mkhitaryan who lines up a shot from 25 yards.
The Armenian doesn't catch it particularly cleanly and Alex McCarthy is desperately unlucky to see it flick off of Jannik Westergaard's sizeable left boot and go into the opposite corner with McCarthy sprawled to his left.
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 55 minutes
The away crowd has been lifted and nearly have more to cheer as space opens up for Alex Iwobi to curl one.
Iwobi is looking for the far corner but gets too much elevation on the shot, sending it over the bar.
Brighton 0-2 Chelsea, 61 minutes
A first change from Chris Hughton. Glenn Murray comes off, with Florin Andone introduced.
Meanwhile, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek may soon be joining proceedings. The pair are warming up for the visitors.
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 60 minutes
Southampton now with the momentum again.
Matt Targett can't connect cleanly with a shot arriving into the box, but the hosts come again.
Laurent Koscielny crashes into the back of Nathan Redmond on the edge of the box. A yellow card and a free kick in a very dangerous position...
Brighton 0-2 Chelsea, 63 minutes
A magnificent, dipping drive from Marcos Alonso very nearly extends Chelsea's lead, but instead cannons back off the post.
That would have been a fantastic goal.
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 63 minutes
The free kick comes to nothing with an Arsenal head there just ahead of Jannik Vestergaard looking to head it goalwards.
Unfortunately for Ralph Hasenhuttl Nathan Redmond won't be able to continue. Laurent Koscielny's challenge was rather firm and Redmond does not rejoin the action once he has trudged off with the medical staff.
Shane Long comes on. A shame - Redmond had worked very well with Danny Ings.
GOAL! Brighton 1-2 Chelsea (Solly March, 66 minutes)
Brighton back in it!
A prolonged spell of pressure from Chris Hughton's side eventually leads to Solly March finding space in the box, after a cross was headed back into the area by Bernardo.
March volleys past Kepa Arrizabalaga. 2-1.
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