Southampton skipper Claus Lundekvam returned to the starting line-up after being rested for the FA Cup tie at Manchester City, with Alexander Ostlund making way and Chris Baird reverting to right-back. David McGoldrick also found himself dropped to the bench after Rudi Skacel was restored to the starting line-up following an Achilles problem.
For Wednesday, 17-year-old Mark Beevers was given a debut at centre back due to injury problems and Saints old boy Yoann Folly started in midfield. New signing Jermaine Johnson was suspended.
1st Half
It could have been a nightmare start for Saints as Maclean drilled home in the 2nd minute, but the striker was clearly offside and the goal did not stand.
Minutes later Gareth Bale uncharacteristically miscued a first-time effort wide, but smiles could be afforded all round as the Welsh international earlier committed himself to Saints until the end of the season.
The bright start continued as Saints then had a goal ruled out with Rudi Skacel adjudged to have handled before scoring, in similar circumstances to his disallowed goal at Southend last month.
The disappointment only lasted until the 6th minute however, when former Wednesday man KENWYNE JONES thumped the ball convincingly past Mark Crossley for his 10th goal of the season, following a clever backheeled assist by Rasiak.
Jermaine Wright had a shot blocked, Jones had a header scrambled away from a crowded six-yard-box and Jhon Viafara fired wide as the home side continued to settle into their groove.
The early chances then dried up, with Skacel providing the only notable effort: a low shot just wide of the far post. Maclean was relieved this time to see an offside flag as he blazed over with the goal at his mercy.
Two minutes were added before Saints went in ahead at the break despite Sheffield Wednesday enjoying the majority of first-half possession.
Half Time Score – Southampton 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0
2nd Half
Saints started the second half brightly, with shots from Jones and Rasiak testing Crossley in the Sheffield Wednesday goal.
Wednesday scored an unexpected equaliser on 52 minutes: Kelvin Davis bravely saved at the feet of Tudgay, only for the ball rebound kindly to STEVEN MACLEAN who promptly slotted home with the goalkeeper down injured.
Darren Powell was also hurt in the collision and Inigo Idiakez took his place, with Pele switching to centre-back.
Saints weren`t behind for long though, with KENWYNE JONES skilfully powering a header home on 58 minutes. It was the Trinidad & Tobago striker`s fifth goal in four games against Sheffield Wednesday.
It just wasn’t Gareth Bale`s day in front of goal: the left-back slipped as he shot after a strong run which saw the ball go out for a throw-in, much to the glee of the away fans.
A flurry of substitutions followed on 70 minutes: Jones went off to a standing ovation to be replaced by Bradley Wright-Phillips, while Wednesday bought on Clarke for Small and former Portsmouth striker Deon Burton for Maclean to a chorus of boos.
Crossley saved well from Wright-Phillips and Bale hit the side-netting with a free kick before Skacel should have rounded off the game. Wright-Phillips played in the Czech midfielder whose weak shot was blocked by the ‘keeper.
David McGoldrick came on for Skacel on 90 minutes to run down the clock, while Viafara, Wright-Phillips and Rasiak had chances to increase the lead as Saints finished the stronger side.
LINE UPS
Southampton line up
Davis(Gk), Baird, Lundekvam, Powell, Bale, Viafara, Wright, Pele, Skacel, Rasiak, Jones
Subs – Wright-Phillips, McGoldrick, Ostlund, Idiakez, Bialkowski(Gk)
Sheffield Wednesday line up
Crossley(Gk), Simek, Bullen, Beevers, Spurr, Whelan, Folly, Brunt, Small, Tudgay, Maclean
Subs – Burton, Graham, Clark, Lunt, Adamson(Gk)
Summary
This was a truly efficient performance from Southampton who always looked in control. Despite conceding an unfortunate equaliser, heads didn`t go down and chances were even being created deep into injury time.
These are the kind of games Saints need to win if promotion is to be achieved and there was only going to be one winner tonight. The match itself was entertaining enough and Sheffield Wednesday also played their part – especially the two topless away fans who decided to provide some ‘alternative` entertainment!
Share this article
