Claude Puel admits Middlesbrough made life difficult for Southampton in the Saints’ narrow win.
Southampton picked up their first win in six games with a 2-1 victory at relegated Middlesbrough on Saturday to ease the pressure on manager Claude Puel.
Jay Rodriguez made the most of a rare Premier League start with a neatly-taken first half goal before substitute Nathan Redmond produced an excellent second half solo effort. Shane Long should have added a third from the penalty spot after being tripped by hapless Boro goalkeeper Brad Guzan but fired wastefully over the crossbar.
Patrick Bamford’s…
Claude Puel rues Southampton’s inability to capitalise on their chances, and says the result is unfair on his players.
The biggest criticism levelled by Southampton fans at manager Claude Puel this season is that he is too cautious, and that cautiousness could plunge him closer to the sack at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Though a meaningless clash between one team already doomed to life in the Championship and another who struggle to score goals will hardly set pulses racing, for Puel it represents once last golden chance to save his job.
Middlesbrough
Southampton
2:00 PM UTC
Game Details
Home: 3/1
Draw: 13/5
Away: 1/1
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Lineups and Stats
It is unlikely football fans across the globe will be flocking to their TV…
Southampton slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Arsenal on Wednesday evening.
Southampton failed to score for a third game in a row as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to an Alexis Sanchez-inspired Arsenal in their rearranged fixture on Wednesday, increasing the pressure on manager Claude Puel.
Saints were the better team for the opening 45 minutes but were made to pay for not taking their chances by Sanchez’s sublime 60th minute opener, before substitute Olivier Giroud headed the second late on.
The defeat maintains Southampton’s record of failing to beat any of the…
ESPN FC’s Steve Nicol discusses Fraser Forster’s antics at Anfield in Southampton’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool.
ESPN FC’s Steve Nicol discusses Fraser Forster’s antics at Anfield in Southampton’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool.
It is the time of the season when supporters up and down the land will be having their annual debate about which of their team’s stars deserves the accolade of Player of the Season.
Usually the preference is to plump for the goal-getting striker or midfield assist king, or in the case of a struggling side, their overworked goalkeeper or defensive rock.
Considering Charlie Austin remains Southampton’s top scorer despite sitting out the past five months with a dislocated shoulder and that standout…
Steve Nicol has no issues with Fraser Forster’s behaviour leading up to his save on James Milner’s penalty kick.
Goalkeeper Fraser Forster was the hero as Southampton showed their battling qualities to hold Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Sunday.
Forster’s second half penalty save to deny the usually reliable James Milner after Jack Stephens had handled was the big moment of a game lacking in excitement. The draw eases the pressure on Southampton manager Claude Puel.
Positives
Southampton have stopped Liverpool scoring in all four league and cup meetings with Jurgen Klopp’s men this season, which is…
Claude Puel has seen his job come under scrutiny in recent weeks.
It was about as defiant as you could get from Southampton boss Claude Puel.
For once, the quiet man of Premier League management found his voice to express his shock at suggestions his job is under threat.
To say he came out fighting would be an over-statement but it was arguably the most passionate news conference we have seen from the Frenchman since his arrival last summer.
“We are ninth in the table with all these games and injuries. I think this is OK. Now it is important to finish…
Despite taking a point on the day, Claude Puel is unhappy with his team’s defensive frailties against Hull City.
A late Eldin Jakupovic penalty save gave his Hull City side a valuable point against Southampton.
To most neutral observers, Claude Puel would appear to have one of the safest jobs in football.
Having guided Southampton to a Wembley final within months of being appointed and being on course to cement a top-half finish in the Premier League, you would think the Frenchman has enough credit in the bank to avoid being subjected to any end of season inquests from his paymasters.
But for the bulk of Southampton supporters, the power-brokers looking down from the directors’ box and probably even Puel…
Dusan Tadic missed a penalty as Southampton were held by Hull at home.
Dusan Tadic’s second half penalty miss proved costly as toothless Southampton toiled to a 0-0 draw at home to relegation threatened Hull on Saturday.
A dire match looked to be fading out into a stalemate until Maya Yoshida was dragged to the ground by Alfred N’Diaye in the final minute.
But Tadic saw his spot kick saved by Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic as fans turned on manager Claude Puel.
Positives
The clean sheet was welcome after conceding seven goals in their last two games but Hull are far…
Claude Puel says Eden Hazard’s brilliant performance against Southampton both impressed and angered him.
The FC panel discuss whether or not Chelsea will slip up before season’s end after edging one step closer to the title.
Claude Puel is one of the most-mild mannered managers in Premier League history but the Southampton boss needs to show his ruthless streak to keep alive the club’s hopes of achieving a top eight finish.
For 45 minutes of Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat at Chelsea, Puel’s men looked like they could have the beating of champions-elect Chelsea. But for all their vibrant and creative attack play, the south coast side were undone by the type of shambolic defending that has become the hallmark of their season, especially…
Diego Costa and Chelsea restored their seven-point lead atop the Premier League with a 4-2 triumph against Southampton.
Southampton were made to pay for a poor defensive display, as they were beaten 4-2 by Premier League title-chasing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Claude Puel’s men made a nightmare start by falling behind to Eden Hazard’s opener after only five minutes. Oriol Romeu offered the visitors a way back by scoring at his old stomping ground, only for Gary Cahill’s header to restore Chelsea’s lead on the stroke of half-time against the run of play.
A second-half double from the excellent Diego Costa…