Southampton 3-1 Leeds United: Saints end losing streak after first-half goal flurry

Southampton ended their dismal losing streak with three first-half goals against Leeds United at St Mary’s.

The Southampton striker added another as he twisted and turned to unbalance Sam Byram and then shot for the far corner, with Pascal Struijk getting the final touch before it nestled in the corner.

Stunned Leeds were three down at the break as Kamaldeen Sulemana hit the byeline and calmly waited for Will Smallbone to arrive before delivering a cut-back which the midfielder neatly guided in off the far post.

Leeds, who went into the game on the back of a six-match unbeaten run, hit back as Struijk expertly plucked the ball out of the air and swivelled to fire home following a corner the Saints had failed to clear.

Leeds went into the meeting of two newly relegated clubs as favourites on the back of their contrasting form, but Daniel Farke’s side could not get themselves started.

The early goal allowed confidence to surge back into the home side and they could easily have been out of sight by the break as Carlos Alcaraz’s weak header at the far post was deflected over the bar, after more fine work by Walker-Peters down the right.

Leeds’s dangerous attacking quartet were blunted as Byram sliced their best chance of the first half wide and Georginio Rutter’s 20-yard drive was comfortably turned round the post by Gavin Bazunu in the Saints goal.

The Yorkshire outfit improved after the break but rarely threatened after Struijk’s lifeline goal, with a wild slice from Daniel James the best of their efforts.

Southampton manager Russell Martin told BBC Radio Solent:

“We spoke before the game about the players just taking what they’ve done [on the training ground] and being brave enough to do it, and they were incredible in the first half.

“We limited Leeds to very little but didn’t look after the ball well enough in the second half, but I understand that – when you haven’t won in four games and are playing a top team, your mentality changes a little bit.

“We had to get over the line today, it was so important that we won.

“I’m proud of them. I loved their courage and intensity to play, and we scored two goals of the really highest quality. Hopefully it gives the players evidence that if they’re brave with what we’re working on they will have lots more moments like that.

[On Sulemana]: “He’s super-talented and does things at this level that not many other people can do. He’s looked really ready and hungry.”