Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Ralph Hasenhuttl records first Saints win to end Arsenal's unbeaten run

Kishan Vaghela
Friday 14 December 2018 10:16 EST
Comments
Arsenal: A look back at 2018

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in fine form for Arsenal
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in fine form for Arsenal (Getty Images)

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)

Brighton 1-2 Chelsea, 90 minutes

Chelsea rather hanging on at the Amex.

Into four minutes of stoppage time as Brighton push for a leveller...

Harry Latham-Coyle16 December 2018 15:17

Brighton 1-2 Chelsea, 90 + 1 minutes

Kepa is booked for time-wasting. It's all got a little nervous for Maurizio Sarri's side.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 December 2018 15:18

Brighton 1-2 Chelsea, 90 + 2 minutes

Lewis Dunk is now deployed as a striker for Brighton and gets his head on to a Solly March cross.

He can't get the direction right. It is wide.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 December 2018 15:19

Southampton 3-2 Arsenal, 90 minutes

FIVE minutes added on at St Mary's.

A nervous energy in the home crowd, but their team are shutting the game down well so far. Will they hold on?

Harry Latham-Coyle16 December 2018 15:20

Southampton 3-2 Arsenal, 90 + 3 minutes

Floated cross to the edge of the box, Matteo Guendouzi's arriving...

He gets his jump wrong, and the ball bounces off his heavily forested dome and out for a goal kick.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 December 2018 15:22

Chelsea hold on at the Amex Stadium. Goals from Pedro and Eden Hazard are enough for a far-from-fluent 2-1 win.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 December 2018 15:23

Southampton 3-2 Arsenal, 90 + 4 minutes

Stuart Armstrong's legs are gone.

A little more time ticks off the clock as Tyreke Johnson comes on.

Southampton are almost there...

Harry Latham-Coyle16 December 2018 15:24

They've done it! A huge win for Ralph Husenhuttl's Southampton, three headed goals from two strikers securing victory in a topsy-turvy game at St Mary's as Arsenal's 22 game unbeaten run is over.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 December 2018 15:25

A first home win of the season for Southampton, and how that will lift the club.

They were good value for the three points, too. Arsenal's makeshift defence, and Bernd Leno particularly, struggled with crosses all afternoon.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 December 2018 15:27

A goal, an assist, and another Man of the Match performance from Eden Hazard.

Hazard didn't look entirely comfortable as a false nine, but he was Chelsea's best.

The type of win a team needs to compete at the top of the Premier League, grinding out victory on a cold winter's day against a battling opponent.

With Arsenal losing, Chelsea move three points clear in fourth place with Spurs two points further ahead in third. You sense that battle may go right to the final day...

Harry Latham-Coyle16 December 2018 15:31

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in