Writer: KRAZYB
The final match of the season for Southampton was a home one against champions Manchester City. With Saints as near as damn it confirmed to be escaping relegation, the game centred on the Etihad crew trying to get to 100 points overall.
It’s been a tough season but I’m glad we got the job done. A lot of learning curves to take from the season so that we never put ourselves in that position again! Thanks for the support all year, see you next season ????⚪️ pic.twitter.com/XOlfQtUAzV
— Alex McCarthy (@Alex_Macca23) May 14, 2018
For Saints to be relegated it needed a 10 goal swing in goal difference in favour of Swansea City. Even though we were playing the high scoring champions, there was enough belief in our team to be able to survive.
With the fans listening to their mobile phones for the Swansea score, they made themselves heard loud and clear whilst cheering the team on. The atmosphere was not as tense as expected by some with Southampton defending stoutly.
The team was set up, as in the last few matches, with Saints having a back three, and trying to hit City on the break. Chances were few and far between with both teams searching for a way through. City had the edge without really exerting too much pressure on the Saints’ goal.
Hear from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, as he reflects on the end of #SaintsFC's season: pic.twitter.com/yBY9gG0NdD
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 14, 2018
The mood in the crowd grew ever more cheerful as Stoke City first clawed their way back into their game at Swansea, and then took the lead. With Swansea needing to win and then score enough, hoping Manchester City would beat us comfortably, our fans began chanting loudly ‘we are staying up’.
The second half saw Saints become more adventurous and we even had chances to score. Added time arrived and then we saw Manchester City break our hearts by scoring right at the death.
A free kick was quickly taken with the ball still moving and then Kevin De Bruyne sent a long through ball over our defence for Gabriel Jesus to pounce and lift the ball over our keeper into the net.
A really disappointing finish to a game that we deserved more from, but we gained more than just our safety.
WE GAINED MORE SELF BELIEF
Mark Hughes hailed an "excellent" display from #SaintsFC against #MCFC on the final day of the #PL season: https://t.co/OvtXbgQa8g
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 14, 2018