Southampton ran out 3-1 winners against Burnley on Sunday.
Southampton’s Charlie Austin celebrates scoring their first goal
Southampton helped themselves to three points on Sunday afternoon following a reasonably straightforward 3-1 win over Burnley – here’s five things we learned from the game at St. Mary’s.
Saints can go marching into Europe
Following a shaky start to the season, it’s now seven games unbeaten for Claude Puel’s men. This momentum, as well as the fact that all their players are now starting to click, should provide them with the confidence they need to push for a top six place. With Dusan Tadic and Charlie Austin in such good form, can we really put it past them?
Heaton can’t keep Burnley up on his own
Goalkeeper Tom Heaton can count himself very unfortunate. Having done virtually all he could to keep the Saints at bay in the first half, his side conceded from two set pieces and a penalty to ensure there was no way back for the Clarets. If Burnley are to stay up, they’ll need to help out their ‘keeper.
Burnley’s Tom Heaton in the rain as he walks off the pitch at half time
If Austin stays fit, he’ll compete for the Golden Boot
Charlie Austin is in red hot form. A scrappy poacher’s goal followed by a cool penalty, as well as his neat header denied by a Heaton wonder-save, show he’s got lots of strings to his bow. When a manager puts faith in him, he’ll score goals and with the creativity Southampton have at their disposal, a fit Austin can be as profitable as any striker in the league.
Burnley need a plan B
There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with having Sam Vokes as a main striker. The issue is that he’s rather a one-trick pony. Playing route one football is all well and good, but when you come up against centre-halves as tall and imposing as Virgil van Dijk and Jose Fonte, you really need a different option. At this point in time, that is something that Burnley don’t seem to have and it may cost them time and time again.
Burnley’s Sam Vokes in action with Southampton’s Jose Fonte
Set piece woes continue for Clarets
Frailty at corners is not something you associate with a Sean Dyche side. Before the international break, Arsenal’s winner at Turf Moor came as a result of some lax defending from a last minute corner. On Sunday, the disarray continued; Austin prodded home after Burnley failed to clear while Nathan Redmond was left completely unmarked as he drove home an uncontested second ball. If Burnley wish to stay up, it’s vital they don’t gift-wrap any more goals like these.
Southampton’s Nathan Redmond celebrates scoring their second goal with Charlie Austin and Oriol Romeu as Burnley’s Dean Marney looks dejected
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