Southampton 3-1 Leeds United: Southampton halts losing streak with commanding first-half performance against Leeds
Posted : 30 September 2023
Southampton put an end to their disheartening losing streak by scoring three first-half goals against Leeds United at St Mary's.
The Saints, who had endured four consecutive defeats, found themselves in the lower ranks of the Championship. However, they started the match in blistering fashion. Within the opening two minutes, Adam Armstrong neatly chipped in a goal after receiving a sublime reverse pass from Kyle Walker-Peters.
Armstrong continued to shine, adding another goal to his tally. He showcased his skill as he twisted and turned, unsettling Sam Byram, and then took a shot for the far corner. The ball ultimately found the net after a deflection off Pascal Struijk.
Southampton stunned Leeds, establishing a commanding 3-0 lead before halftime. Kamaldeen Sulemana skillfully maneuvered along the byline, patiently waiting for Will Smallbone to arrive before delivering a precise cut-back that Smallbone guided neatly into the net off the far post.
Leeds, entering the game with a six-match unbeaten streak, attempted a comeback as Struijk executed a masterful maneuver, controlling the ball and swiveling to score after a corner that Southampton had failed to clear.
Despite Leeds being the favorites due to their recent form, Southampton's early goal injected confidence into the home side. They could have easily extended their lead before halftime, with Carlos Alcaraz's header at the far post deflected over the bar, courtesy of another fine contribution by Walker-Peters on the right.
Leeds' potent attacking quartet struggled to make an impact. Byram missed a prime opportunity in the first half by slicing a shot wide, and Gavin Bazunu, the Saints' goalkeeper, comfortably dealt with Georginio Rutter's 20-yard strike, ensuring Southampton's lead remained intact.
Although Leeds exhibited improvement in the second half, their chances were limited after Struijk's goal, with a wayward effort from Daniel James being the most noteworthy of their attempts.
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