SOUTHAMPTON REVIVED their faint survival hopes with only a second Premier League victory of the season thanks to Paul Onuachu’s 87th-minute winner at Ipswich.
This bottom-of-the-table clash looked destined to finish all square after Ipswich hitman Liam Delap struck his ninth goal of the campaign after 31 minutes to cancel out Joe Aribo’s opener at Portman Road.
A point did little for either team’s survival prospects and as the seconds ticked away Kieran McKenna’s men looked more likely to claim a late winner, but they were stunned when Onuachu fired in after Arijanet Muric spilt Kamaldeen Sulemana’s low effort to secure Saints a precious 2-1 away win.
With plenty at stake, chances were limited until Southampton broke the deadlock in the 21st minute.
Kyle Walker-Peters and Mateus Fernandes combined down the right before the latter’s cross deflected into the path of Aribo, who volleyed home for his third goal of the campaign from 12 yards.
Ipswich goalkeeper Muric did not cover himself in glory with a weak attempt at saving Aribo’s tame effort, but referee Michael Oliver was in the spotlight soon after.
Oliver, who was moved onto this fixture and off Arsenal versus Manchester City on Sunday after he received death threats over a red card given to the Gunners’ Myles Lewis-Skelly last weekend, faced more hostility after he first opted not to give Ipswich a free-kick in a dangerous position.
More boos followed when Oliver decided Walker-Peters’ handball inside the Saints penalty area had been from a natural position, but the home faithful had a goal to celebrate soon after.
Not long after Delap had flicked over from close range, the former Manchester City forward showed his class with an assured 31st-minute finish.
Ipswich received a touch of fortune after Nathan Broadhead’s pass ricocheted off Aribo and into Delap, who burst past Jan Bednarek too easily and slotted under Aaron Ramsdale.
It was nearly 2-1 two minutes later when a gorgeous outside-of-the-boot through ball by Delap sent Broadhead away, but Ramsdale stood up well to block.
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There were further efforts by Julio Enciso, Omari Hutchinson and Broadhead before the break as Southampton held on until half-time.
Ivan Juric made a change during the interval with Saints captain Jack Stephens introduced for his comeback after eight weeks out, but he limped off after 11 minutes.
Enciso sliced off soon after before James Bree had a shot deflected wide for the visitors as it turned into a scrappy affair.
A point did little for either team’s survival hope and anxiety gripped Portman Road as the Ipswich faithful started to get agitated at a lack of urgency.
It sparked the hosts’ into life as Delap muscled his way past Bednarek but had a low shot blocked by Ramsdale before Leif Davis sent a free-kick into the wall.
Juric reacted with Sulemana sent on with 20 minutes left and the substitute helped Saints claim a first league win in four months when his low effort was spilt by Muric, which allowed Onuachu to smash home
Elsewhere, Newcastle blew the lead to lose 2-1 at home to Fulham.
Jacob Murphy put the Magpies in front at St. James’ Park, but Fulham hit back thanks to goals from Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz to climb up to ninth and within four points of the top six.
Everton’s relegation fears in their final season at Goodison Park now appear over after thrashing Leicester 4-0.
Abdoulaye Doucoure opened the scoring after just 10 seconds as David Moyes enjoyed a third win in his first four games since returning as Everton boss.
Beto then took advantage of some woeful Leicester defending to score twice before half-time and Iliman Ndiaye rounded off a resounding win in stoppage time.
The Toffees are now 10 points clear of the bottom three.
In the late game, Aston Villa’s decision to sell Jhon Duran could have backfired immediately as Ollie Watkins suffered an apparent injury in a 2-0 defeat to Wolves.
Duran was sold to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on Friday to leave Watkins, for whom Arsenal made a bid earlier in the week, as the only recognised striker at the club.
But he did not return after half-time at Molineux due to an apparent groin injury in a game which was settled by goals from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha.
Villa are desperately trying to add players before Monday’s transfer deadline, with a deal for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford almost complete, and their need for reinforcements intensified on Saturday.
They endured another Champions League hangover as they failed to win for the seventh time after a midweek European adventure this season.
Wolves were excellent value for their victory, arresting a four-match losing streak, to move out of the relegation zone.
Unai Emery made four substitutions at half-time and saw Donyell Malan have a goal chalked out for offside, but his side were deservedly beaten.
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Southampton pick up second Premier League win of the season
Updated at 19.53
SOUTHAMPTON REVIVED their faint survival hopes with only a second Premier League victory of the season thanks to Paul Onuachu’s 87th-minute winner at Ipswich.
This bottom-of-the-table clash looked destined to finish all square after Ipswich hitman Liam Delap struck his ninth goal of the campaign after 31 minutes to cancel out Joe Aribo’s opener at Portman Road.
A point did little for either team’s survival prospects and as the seconds ticked away Kieran McKenna’s men looked more likely to claim a late winner, but they were stunned when Onuachu fired in after Arijanet Muric spilt Kamaldeen Sulemana’s low effort to secure Saints a precious 2-1 away win.
With plenty at stake, chances were limited until Southampton broke the deadlock in the 21st minute.
Kyle Walker-Peters and Mateus Fernandes combined down the right before the latter’s cross deflected into the path of Aribo, who volleyed home for his third goal of the campaign from 12 yards.
Ipswich goalkeeper Muric did not cover himself in glory with a weak attempt at saving Aribo’s tame effort, but referee Michael Oliver was in the spotlight soon after.
Oliver, who was moved onto this fixture and off Arsenal versus Manchester City on Sunday after he received death threats over a red card given to the Gunners’ Myles Lewis-Skelly last weekend, faced more hostility after he first opted not to give Ipswich a free-kick in a dangerous position.
More boos followed when Oliver decided Walker-Peters’ handball inside the Saints penalty area had been from a natural position, but the home faithful had a goal to celebrate soon after.
Not long after Delap had flicked over from close range, the former Manchester City forward showed his class with an assured 31st-minute finish.
Ipswich received a touch of fortune after Nathan Broadhead’s pass ricocheted off Aribo and into Delap, who burst past Jan Bednarek too easily and slotted under Aaron Ramsdale.
It was nearly 2-1 two minutes later when a gorgeous outside-of-the-boot through ball by Delap sent Broadhead away, but Ramsdale stood up well to block.
There were further efforts by Julio Enciso, Omari Hutchinson and Broadhead before the break as Southampton held on until half-time.
Ivan Juric made a change during the interval with Saints captain Jack Stephens introduced for his comeback after eight weeks out, but he limped off after 11 minutes.
Enciso sliced off soon after before James Bree had a shot deflected wide for the visitors as it turned into a scrappy affair.
A point did little for either team’s survival hope and anxiety gripped Portman Road as the Ipswich faithful started to get agitated at a lack of urgency.
It sparked the hosts’ into life as Delap muscled his way past Bednarek but had a low shot blocked by Ramsdale before Leif Davis sent a free-kick into the wall.
Juric reacted with Sulemana sent on with 20 minutes left and the substitute helped Saints claim a first league win in four months when his low effort was spilt by Muric, which allowed Onuachu to smash home
Elsewhere, Newcastle blew the lead to lose 2-1 at home to Fulham.
Jacob Murphy put the Magpies in front at St. James’ Park, but Fulham hit back thanks to goals from Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz to climb up to ninth and within four points of the top six.
Everton’s relegation fears in their final season at Goodison Park now appear over after thrashing Leicester 4-0.
Abdoulaye Doucoure opened the scoring after just 10 seconds as David Moyes enjoyed a third win in his first four games since returning as Everton boss.
Beto then took advantage of some woeful Leicester defending to score twice before half-time and Iliman Ndiaye rounded off a resounding win in stoppage time.
The Toffees are now 10 points clear of the bottom three.
In the late game, Aston Villa’s decision to sell Jhon Duran could have backfired immediately as Ollie Watkins suffered an apparent injury in a 2-0 defeat to Wolves.
Duran was sold to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on Friday to leave Watkins, for whom Arsenal made a bid earlier in the week, as the only recognised striker at the club.
But he did not return after half-time at Molineux due to an apparent groin injury in a game which was settled by goals from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha.
Villa are desperately trying to add players before Monday’s transfer deadline, with a deal for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford almost complete, and their need for reinforcements intensified on Saturday.
They endured another Champions League hangover as they failed to win for the seventh time after a midweek European adventure this season.
Wolves were excellent value for their victory, arresting a four-match losing streak, to move out of the relegation zone.
Unai Emery made four substitutions at half-time and saw Donyell Malan have a goal chalked out for offside, but his side were deservedly beaten.
Additional reporting by AFP
English Premier League 3pm results on Saturday:
Bournemouth 0 Liverpool 2 (Salah 30-pen, 75)
Everton 4 (Doucoure 1, Beto 6, 45+2, Ndiaye 90) Leicester 0
Ipswich 1 (Delap 31) Southampton 2 (Aribo 21, Onuachu 87)
Newcastle 1 (Murphy 37) Fulham 2 (Jimenez 61, Muniz 82)
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