Share

Southampton out of trouble

accreditation
Jason Puncheon, left (AFP)
Jason Puncheon, left (AFP)

Southampton - A second-half goal from Jason Puncheon gave Southampton a 1-0 win at home to Reading on Saturday that took the Saints out of the relegation zone for the first time this term.

Puncheon pounced in the 61st minute as Southampton gained a measure of revenge for finishing second to Reading in last season's Championship.

Victory lifted Nigel Adkins' men up to 15th place in the Premier League, two points above the relegation places, while second-bottom Reading are now six points adrift of safety after a fourth successive defeat.

The hosts began positively at St Mary's, but Reading had a strong penalty appeal turned down after Jay Tabb went down in the Southampton box under a challenge from Jack Cork.

Southampton were then given reason to feel aggrieved in the 34th minute when a Puncheon header was ruled out for an altercation between Saints defender Maya Yoshida and visiting goalkeeper Adam Federici in the build-up.

Nigel Adkins' men lost influential captain Adam Lallana to a knee injury shortly before half-time, with close-season signing Gaston Ramirez introduced from the substitutes bench.

Reading's Wales international Hal Robson-Kanu hit the post with a header in first-half stoppage time, before the game's only goal arrived 16 minutes into the second period.

Rickie Lambert released Nathaniel Clyne and his pass found Puncheon, who beat Federici with a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Reading's best chance of an equaliser saw striker Adam Le Fondre head wide following a weak clearance by Clyne, while Federici almost sliced a back-pass into his own goal and then did well to hold onto a Clyne cross-shot.

Southampton substitute Guly do Prado twice went close but there was to be no change to the scoreline.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Fixtures
Sat 30 Mar 24 14:30 PM (SAST)
Newcastle
Newcastle
West Ham
West Ham
St. James' Park
SuperSport
Sat 30 Mar 24 17:00 PM (SAST)
Sheffield United
Sheffield United
Fulham
Fulham
Bramall Lane
SuperSport
Sat 30 Mar 24 17:00 PM (SAST)
Chelsea
Chelsea
Burnley
Burnley
Stamford Bridge
SuperSport
Results
Sun 17 Mar 24
West Ham
West Ham 1
Aston Villa
Aston Villa 1
Sat 16 Mar 24
Fulham
Fulham 3
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur 0
Sat 16 Mar 24
Luton Town
Luton Town 1
Forest
Forest 1
Logs
Team
P
W
PTS
Team Logo
1. Arsenal
28
20
64
Team Logo
2. Liverpool
28
19
64
Team Logo
3. Manchester City
28
19
63
Team Logo
4. Aston Villa
29
17
56