I felt that I had to write this as I am listening to the match on radio. Saints have continued where they left off on Saturday. Open attacking football that even had Dave Merrington purring with pleasure.
Saints have again showed tremendous attacking instints.
Jason Puncheon laid the first one on for Ricky Lambert. A superb cross followed by a magnificent header which beat the keeper all ends up. 16th minute.
Dean Hammond set up the second for Lee Barnard. Again a good cross was met by a header. Saints are all over Huddersfield at the moment. 24th minute.
More joy as Jason Puncheon takes the ball into the box and drills a shot just inside the left post from the right side of the penalty. 34th minute. More pressure but score stays the same till HT
After a first half that was so good, we all waited to see how we would react in the second half. Would we continue with the good work or would we think that the game was won and disappear. The crowd seemed almost to be waiting for a sign that we had taken our feet off the gas but though we were playing with a little less urgency we needn’t have worried.
Huddersfield came into it slightly more but we were still in command. A couple of chances were nearly accepted and we even had a goal disallowed. Lallana came close as did Puncheon. Puncheon took a corner which nearly led to Morgan Schneiderlin scoring his first as Saints continued to dominate.
On 75 minutes another Puncheon corner was headed home by captain Dean Hammond. By now the game had been put to bed. Substitutions began with 12 minutes to go. Lee Barnard getting a tremendous reception as he was subbed by Papa Waigo. 2 minutes later and Radhi Jaidi was replaced by Dan Seaborne.
Though clearly on top our defence had to maintain their concentration as Huddersfield still had the odd moment of causing potential danger.Still our defence held firm as Schneiderlin and Fonte both blocked Huddersfield strikers to keep them out.
On 84 minutes Saints sealed the win with the fifth goal of the night. Lambert sent Papa Waigo clear and he tried to round the keeper, he nearly failed but managed to keep the ball before slotting it home.
Two minutes later 16yo Oxlade-Chamberlain came on as Ricky Lambert was given a rousing send off . In his first ever appearance for the Saints the youngster very nearly marked his debut with a goal but he hit the ball over the bar.
As the game came to a close the whole crowd stood as one to cheer the team off the field of play. Everyone was happy and even the manager seemed content. All in all a good day was had at the office. Full Time 5-0
Player Ratings
Kelvin Davis 7
Had not proper saves but could have been caught out once by Rhodes.
J Otsemobor 7
Has done well and is making the shirt his. Another solid display.
Jose Fonte 8
This is the real deal. If he stays here he is destined to be a legend.
Radhi Jaidi 7
Big and solid as ever.
Dan Harding 7
Solid in defence and linked up with Lallana
Jason Puncheon 9
Ran the Terriers defence ragged and scored. Link up play is getting better all of the time
Dean Hammond 8
Captain is coming back to his best. Another who can score and showed it
M Schneiderlin 8
Another good display from our classy young Frenchman
Adam Lallana 8
Adam does what he does best and showed his usually effort and skill. Links well with the rest of our front line.
Ricky Lambert 8
Our leader of the attack did his usual quality job. His linking with Lee is becoming a tremendous plus.
Lee Barnard 8
Has settled into our system and is now showing why we bought him.
N’Diaye Papa Waigo 7
Gave a good reason for signing him up in the close season on a permanent deal,
Dan Seaborne 7
Solid looking for his short spell on the pitch
Unfair to mark him on such a short stay. Had one chance and put the ball over the bar.One for the future.
Manager Rating
8 – Had the team ready and then it was job done.