Southampton beat Sheffield United 2-0 at Bramall lane after James Ward-Prowse and Che Adams piled more pressure on the home team.
The result means the Blades are all but relegated!
Bad start for Saints
Southampton were handed and early blow to the match when Danny Ings went down injured in the 12th minute. The away side were forced into a change bringing on Che Adams to replace the injured striker.
The Saints saw their first big chance of the match go to waste as a long ball was mis-controlled by the United defence and played directly into the path of Nathan Tella. He struck the ball first-time but sent the shot high over the bar.
In the 31st minute another long ball caused the Blades’ defence problems as it was brought down by Tella. He drove into the box before being brought down by Ethan Ampadu and winning a penalty. James Ward-Prowse slotted the spot kick into the bottom left corner to give his side the lead.
Sheffield United almost got themselves right back into the game when a free-kick was swung into the back post by Fleck. Only for him to see it headed into the ground by Byran before sending the ball bouncing over the bar and the opportunity go to waste.
The Blades again asked questions of the Southampton defence with John Fleck put an early ball into David Mcgoldrick who forced a low save from Fraser Forster. Only to see the flag go up so any goal would not have stood.
On the stroke of half-time Ibrahima Diallo gave the ball away inside his own half which allowed Mcgoldick to be played in. After getting into the box he saw his attempted chip caught by the Southampton keeper and the first-half came to an end.
In the 49th minute Southampton had some sustained pressure with the Blades struggling to clear their lines.
Saints end losing run
Stuart Armstrong cushioned chest down to Che Adams so he could smash the ball into the top left corner on the half volley giving the keeper no chance and giving his side a two-goal lead.
Southampton saw a chance to run down the clock when the ball was cut back to Takumi Minamino who shot wide of the post missing the open net.
In the 74th minute Adams was played through down the right side as he drove into the box. But, the angle was tight and Ramsdale made a good save to keep the score at 2-0.
The game came to an end on a sour note when Fleck slid in late on Adams which caused a brawl in the middle of the pitch. This led to Fleck, Yannick Vestergaard and Oli Mcburnie receiving yellow cards.
The loss for Sheffield United means that they are bottom of the table on just 14 points with almost no hope of playing Premier League football for next season.
For Southampton it was their first win since the beginning of January against Liverpool. The Saints will look to build on that before their next game against Manchester City.
By Evan Clem
