There have always been high hopes surrounding Southampton Academy graduate Matt Targett and in the weekend’s clash with Bournemouth, he put himself into the Premier League history books.
The 23-year-old has got decent game time at St Mary’s Stadium in recent years since making his breakthrough and to date he boasts 54 starting appearance to his name, with a further eight showings from the substitutes bench.
That’s on top of the 21 appearances he made for Fulham in the second half of last season as they won Play-Off promotion from the Championship.
Having opened his career goal account during his spell at Craven Cottage, Saturday saw him play his part in securing our Premier League survival as he opened his club account as he hit the third in our 3-3 draw with Eddie Howe’s side.
The goal also goes into history as the 1000th effort of the 2018/19 campaign.
Speaking to saintsfc following the fulltime whistle, Targett was obviously delighted to have gotten off the mark.
“It’s a great feeling to score my first goal for the club. It took me long enough but I finally got there! It was a great cross from Yan Valery and I just thought to head it back across goal and get good contact, thankfully I did. I’ve been working on that in training!”
He added.
“It was a crazy game, great for the neutrals and nerve-wracking to play in. The aim was not to get beaten today, we knew a point would effectively be enough so it was great to get that and we’re in the Premier League again next season.”
