Saints notched up there biggest home win for over 11 years and the biggest win at St.Mary’s ever, infront of the lowest saturday crowd at the St.Mary’s.
Saints poor form, and with Christmas just round the corner as well as freezing cold conditions, and the fact Hull only managed to muster 500 fans was certainly going to mean there would be a lower attendence.
Saints drew with Sheffield Wednesday on tuesday and needed a result to keep saints dream of the big time alive.
Saints had the best of the opening stages although were perhaps let off, Ricketts crossed from the right and Dean Windass missed a free header from six yards, much to the despair of the traveling fans.
Saints passed the ball failry well throughout the first half, but Hull also has spells when they passed the ball superbly, although they never looked like scoring.
Saints has three chances towards the end of the first half when Adam Hammill switched to right midfield, firstly Surman cut in and had a shot which was well saved by Myhill in the Hull goal. Shortly after that saints passed the ball well in and around the area, Wright-Phillips unleashed a shot which was saved by the keeper.
Then the breakthrough on 41 minutes, The winger on loan from Liverpool Adam Hammill crossed a beautiful ball to the back post and WRIGHT-PHILLIPS timed his run superbly to nod past the helpless Myhill in the Hull goal.
Saints came out much the stronger side after half time. Safri pinged a cross in and Andrew Davies header which just went wide.
On 58 minutes, after 13 minutes of sainst secong half dominance saints got the second, Hammill crossed for STERN JOHN to powerfully nod past the keeper infront of the Northam end.
Saints had many chances in between the 2nd and 3rd goal the one of most note was a fantastic chance for Alan Bennett, Safri took a corner and Bennett almost scored a header.
On 75 minutes Saints got a well deserved 3rd, John played the ball wide to Hammill, he crossed and Sub Marek Saganowski miskicked it but STERN JOHN got his left foot round the ball, it deflected into the back of the net. Saints went 3-0 up.
Just 2 minutes later Stern John scored his first hat-trick, Saints won a free kick just outside the Saints penalty area, Kelvin Davis kicked long towards Marek Saganowski who flicked to STERN JOHN, he brung the ball down on his chest and unleashed a beautiful volley which Myhill had no chance. The perfect hat-trick, a header, a right foot and a left foot!
Saints dominated the last stages, then Hat-trick hero John was taken off with 8 minutes remaining, Rasiak his replacement, the Polish international lined up with fellow sub and international Marek Saganowski, they had there fun with the Hull defence but couldn’t score.
Viafara had a massive chance after the ball broke to him, The hit it and it was blocked off the line, with the keeper in no-mans-land and the defender floored Viafara looked certain to score, only to blast it high and wide into the Northam end.
Final score
Southampton 4 Hull City 0
Wright-Phillips 41
John 58,76,78
Player Ratings
Kelvin Davis 7
Didn’t have much to do but what he did have to do he did well.
Jermaine Wright 7
The centre midfielder and right back played well and whatever Hull chuked at him he was happy to clear.
Alan Bennett 8
Played well at the back, could of scored
Andrew Davies 8
Was again fantastic for saints, he should have had his name on the score sheet.
Rudi Skacel 7
out of position but played well.
Adam Hammill 9
great crosses from the right, Hull had no answer to him. He has been touted at the next Steven Gerrard and it’s easy to see why!
Youseff Safri 7
Played well, passed the ball and put in some good balls into the box.
Jason Euell 6.5
Didn’t have much say on the game, far from his best.
Andrew Surman 7
Played well on both the right and left wing.
Bradley Wright-Phillips 7
Scored a goal but didn’t have his best game.
Stern John 10
The perfect hat-trick, the best game for saints yet. He deserves his place in the team and his third goal took the breath away of everyone inside the stadium. Thumbs up Stern!
Marek Saganowski 7
Replaced Bradley Wright-Phillips on 69 minutes, had a say in 2 goals! A good contribution from the Polish international.
Jhon Viafara 6
Replaced the impressive Adam Hammill on 77 minutes, he should of scored, but didn’t have too much time on the pitch.
Replaced hat-trick hero man Stern John on 88 minutes as the Trinidad international came off to a standing obation from the saints fans. Rasiak had a couple of runs at the Hull defence but didn’t have enough time to impact the game.
Manager Rating
Burley switched the a 4-4-2 on about 40 minutes and that changed the game.