Shane Long broke Ledley King’s record of scoring the fastest goal in Premier League history to help Southampton edge ever closer to safety.
The striker put Saints ahead after 7.69 seconds after charging down Craig Cathcart’s clearance.
4
Long celebrates his historic goal
But his first-minute goal was cancelled out by a last-minute one from Andre Gray as Watford secured a 1-1 draw.
The strains of Sir Elton John’s ‘Rocket Man’ had barely finished booming over the loudspeakers when Long gave Southampton lift-off.
Amazingly, the goal actually came from Watford’s kick-off. Roberto Pereyra played the ball from the centre-circle back to defender Craig Cathcart some 40 yards from his own goal.
As Cathcart attempted to launch the ball up field, Long charged it down and raced through before lifting it over Hornets goalkeeper Ben Foster.
4
Long showed superb composure when he chipped Foster
Watch: Long scores fastest ever goal in Premier League history
The goal was a fraction more than two seconds quicker than the Premier League’s previous fastest, scored by Tottenham’s Ledley King after 9.82 seconds against Bradford in December 2000.
As well as writing a little piece of history for himself, and becoming an answer to a pub quiz question, Long must have thought he had all but guaranteed Southampton’s survival until Gray struck.
Had they held on, Saints would have been eight points clear of Cardiff, who sit in the final relegation spot and have just three matches remaining.
As it is, the six-point gap should be plenty, with the mission of Ralph Hasenhuttl, the manager brought in to save them from relegation, almost complete.
LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS
Southampton are a shadow of the side that looked to be sleepwalking towards the drop under Mark Hughes, and they constantly worried FA Cup finalists Watford with their relentless pace and pressing in a frantic first half.
They could have scored more with Nathan Redmond and Ryan Bertrand both hitting the woodwork.
Redmond was also denied by a good save from Foster and Long headed two other presentable chances off target.
Watford looked shell-shocked after that early blow, but they staggered back in to life and began creating opportunities.
4
Watford grew into the game after falling behind in double quick time
Gray planted a Will Hughes cross straight at Saints keeper Angus Gunn and Gerard Deulofeu curled narrowly wide.
The Hornets dominated after the break and Abdoulaye Doucoure attempted to convert a cross from Kiko Femenia but could only bundle the ball into Gunn’s arms.
Christian Kabasele felt he should have been awarded a penalty after a shove by Long in the area, but referee Mike Dean thought otherwise.
Deulofeu’s cross was cleared from under the crossbar by Maya Yoshida and Foster saved a point-blank Isaac Success shot.
But Saints could not hang on and Gray swept home from close range to lift Watford up to seventh and keep Hasenhuttl’s men looking over their shoulders a little longer.
4
Gray’s last minute goal ensured both sides shared the spoils
KICK ON Spurs knocked Pep Guardiola's men out despite losing 4-3 at the Etihad Stadium but went through on away goals talkSPORT host Adrian Durham was full of praise for Tottenham following their dramatic Champions League triumph over Manchester City. Spurs lost 4-3 in their quarter-final second leg at the Etihad Stadium but
Benfica: How the Portuguese side would look if they kept
footballnote.com/benfica-how-the-portuguese-side-would-look-if-they-kept-their-best-players-including-raul-jimenez-angel-di-maria-and-jan-oblak/
Benfica: How the Portuguese side would look if they kept their best players, including Raul Jimenez, Angel Di Maria, and Jan Oblak. Wolverhampton Wanderers announced the club-record signing of Raul Jimenez on Thursday, who had initially joined on a year-long deal from Benfica last summer.
Arsenal make simple work of Stoke | Depressing Arsenal fans
West Ham news: Hammers to install 'wonderful and long-awaited' claret pitch surround this week by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 13 Apr West Ham United have confirmed they will finally install a claret pitch surround at the London Stadium this week.
London Stadium to get claret pitch surround - Read West Ham
Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea: Mohamed Salah scores stunner as Reds
On Wednesday, you voted Liverpool's victory against Barcelona as the greatest ever Champions League comeback - that received 40% of votes cast with the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan
The Final 3 Mins- Man United v Bayern Munich 1999 - YouTube
LEYTON ORIENT are celebrating promotion again within the Soccer League following a two-year exodus. Followers flooded onto the sphere on the full-time whistle after choosing up the very important level they wanted at dwelling to Braintree to safe prime spot.
Leyton Orient promoted to end two-year exile from the
Shaun Wright-Phillips explains how father helped him cope with racial abuse . impressive . Why Wolves boss should win Manager of the Year ahead of Guardiola and Klopp .
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri unsure over Gonzalo Higuain's
sportsalert.org/2019/04/06/chelsea-boss-maurizio-sarri-unsure-over-gonzalo-higuains-future-and-insists-he-must-improve/
GONE-ZALO? The former Argentina striker has scored just three goals since signing for the Blues on loan from Juventus in January Maurizio Sarri is unsure over Gonzalo Higuain's Chelsea future and insists he must improve.
He's in with a shout | Sport | The Observer
â Vincent Kompany over Virgil van Dijk seven days a weekâ â Man City captain hailed as superior to Liverpool rival after stunning strike (talkSPORT) 0 0 06 May 2019 21:16
Manchester City 1-0 Leicester: Vincent Kompany reduced to
Manchester City will become the first English club to win 50 games in a season if they beat Watford in Saturday's FA Cup final, live on talkSPORT. Pep Guardiola's men have secured 49 victories in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup this term.
Manchester City eye first league, FA Cup and League Cup
Glenn Whelan discovered Aston Villa release via missed calls and says he won't retire with 'Real Madrid on the phone' by Chris Wright 2 days ago 2 days ago 0 0
Grant Leadbitter helped Sunderland reach the League One play-off final just a day after his mother died. The 33-year-old midfielder played the full 90 minutes of the Black Cats' 0-0 semi-final
Grant Leadbitter: Sunderland midfielder helps Black Cats to
Chris Sutton, Harry Maguire and Declan Rice lambast decision to award Liverpool early penalty against Tottenham in the Champions League final A host of dissenting voices criticised the decision to award Liverpool a penalty less than a minute into the Champions League final. Referee Damir Skomina talkSPORT 2 hours ago
Tottenham's Kane to start UCL final vs. Liverpool - One News Page
One Catalan newspaper accidentally tweeted out a video celebrating Barcelona reaching the Champions League final. The Spanish club were heavy favourites ahead of the semi-final second leg at Anfield as they began the match with a 3-0 aggregate lead.
Catalan newspaper forgets to unschedule video celebrating
No comments:
Post a Comment