Nathan Redmond scored twice and Manolo Gabbiadini struck a sixth goal in four games as Southampton moved on from their Wembley woe with a 4-3 win at Watford.
EFL Cup finalists Southampton, beaten by Manchester United last Sunday, were trailing after four minutes as Troy Deeney volleyed in for his 100th league goal for Watford.
Dusan Tadic equalised and Redmond gave the visitors a deserved half-time lead, only for Stefano Okaka to level 11 minutes from time.
Gabbiadini pounced to punish Heurelho Gomes’ error and Redmond struck a fine fourth to give the visitors a win that their pace and movement warranted.
There was a nervy conclusion, though, as Watford substitute Abdoulaye Doucoure netted in stoppage time.
Saints’ previous Premier League game was the 4-0 win at Sunderland on February 11 and their next is at Tottenham on March 19, so Claude Puel was keen for a victory and got it as his side climbed to 10th place.
Southampton are bracing themselves for another transfer fight – this time over Cedric Soares.
Portugal international defender Soares has moved onto the radar of several Champions League clubs after 18 months of impressive displays for the Saints, while also helping his country to a surprise triumph at Euro 2016.
After selling Morgan Schneiderlin, Nathaniel Clyne, Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and Victor Wanyama, Graziano Pelle, Jose Fonte, Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren, Calum Chambers and more over the past three years, it appears the Southampton exodus may not be over.
Soares, 25, arrived at St Mary’s Stadium from Sporting Lisbon for less than £5million in 2015.
Now, the south coast club want £20m for him.
Manchester City and Champions League rivals Barcelona are keeping tabs on the situation.
Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger has said that in-demand centre-half and captain Virgil van Dijk will not be leaving, but may decide to cash in on Soares.
Andre Gray looks set to leave Burnley this summer as talks have yet to start over a new deal.
The 25-year-old has prospered at Turf Moor with 23 goals last season and eight in 20 starts this term, giving rise to speculation that Gareth Southgate was poised to call him up into the England squad later this month.
But former non-League striker Gray has just over one year to run on his current contract, and there has been no movement so far on any fresh agreement.
The Clarets have moved to open negotiations, but the player is aware of interest from elsewhere and will see how the matter progresses when the current campaign is over.
Several clubs have shown an interest, with West Ham, Southampton, Stoke and Championship promotion chasers Newcastle all sure to be in the running when the next window opens.
| Saints At Watford The Verdict | Saints made it two away league wins on the bounce at Watford, but again saw their defensive frailties exposed. 05-03-2017 |
The trio will be joining us in the President’s Lounge for the Eagles’ visit on Wednesday 5th April, with kick-off set for 7.45pm.
They will be enjoying Club Southampton hospitality experience with the fans, while also conducting a panel discussion.
You can still secure your place in the President’s Lounge for the game, with packages priced at £130 + VAT.
With top-quality food, a variety of complimentary drinks, attentive service and the chance to hear from some Southampton greats, it is a fantastic opportunity to watch Saints in true style.
What’s more, if you are a 2016/17 Season Ticket holder, you can experience this package for just £99.
Make an enquiry online now, or call 02380 727768 to ensure you don’t miss out.
WHO are the most influential footballers in the Premier League, according to stats?
The SciSkill Index, developed by SciSports, is used to gauge the individual skill level of a player.
It is based on match results, the strength of the opposing team, the number of minutes played, the player’s position and the competition strength and it is updated after every match.
Their top 20 Premier League players make for fascinating reading - with stars from Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Southampton and Leicester all making it.
Southampton boss Claude Puel joked it would take four defenders to stop Manolo Gabbiadini from scoring as the Italian continued his hot streak in a 4-3 win at Watford.
Saints responded to their EFL Cup final loss to Manchester United with a win at Vicarage Road which featured Gabbiadini’s sixth goal in four games since his deadline day move from Napoli.
Gabbiadini scored twice at Wembley and had another ruled out, incorrectly in Puel’s opinion, for offside.
Puel said: "It was difficult for him today. He played against three centre-backs. The next time it will be four centre-backs, but he continues to score.
“It’s important. He scored seven goals – three goals against Manchester. Of course it’s fantastic work. All this gives good confidence for the team. It’s important to continue this way.”
Nathan Redmond scored twice – his first Premier League goals since October – and Dusan Tadic was also on target for Saints.
Redmond could be called up for England’s matches with Germany and Lithuania this month and Puel believes he needs to add goals to his game.
“It was time. I’m happy for Nathan,” Puel added. "Nathan doesn’t score a lot of goals and he has all the qualities for this. I hope these two goals give him confidence for the future.
“He can become a strong striker for the national team. For the moment it’s important he continues his work and continues to make progress.”
Puel praised his players’ response to the Wembley disappointment, but lamented the lack of forthcoming action.
Saints’ prior Premier League game was the 4-0 win at Sunderland on February 11 and their next is at Tottenham on March 19.
Puel added: "I’m happy for my players. It was a difficult game to prepare for after the final and after the disappointment.
"It was very important to win today, to keep a good level, a good position in the table for the future.
“We cannot play for two weeks. This is difficult to keep good attitude, good intensity in training sessions.”
Gabbiadini’s goal came after Stefano Okaka had levelled the contest at 2-2 with 11 minutes to go.
The Italian pounced on Heurelho Gomes’ error and Redmond struck for the second time to give Saints a two-goal lead.
There was a nervy conclusion as Abdoulaye Doucoure netted in stoppage time, but Saints held on.
Watford boss Walter Mazzarri refused to blame Gomes for not holding Sofiane Boufal’s shot.
Mazzarri said: “Mistakes can happen to all. We are a whole team and in these cases I don’t say anything.”
Troy Deeney had given Watford a fourth-minute lead with his 100th league goal for the club.
Mazzarri added: “It’s a pleasure for Troy for sure and we’re happy for him. Even he would’ve liked that his goal would’ve brought one point or three points for the team.”
The Hornets also have two weeks until their next game against Crystal Palace.
Mazzarri warned his side could yet be dragged into the battle to avoid relegation.
He added: “I don’t want in the head of my players that they are already safe from relegation.”
Claude Puel has backed Nathan Redmond to become an England international, but admitted he needs to add more goals to his game.
Redmond netted twice in the 4-3 win over Watford, his first Premier League goals since October.
The 22-year-old has been a huge success for the England under-21s over a sustained period of time, and has been talked about for a call-up to the full side.
Puel thinks he can make the step up, but first he needs to concentrate on continuing his improvement at Saints.
He said: “We will see. For the moment I think he can do a fantastic final against Manchester but I think he can make good progress to score many goals because he has all the qualities.
“He can become strong and a very good striker.
“For the moment he improves and I think it’s important to continue this work.
“He is a physical player because he can run a long time with quality and good feet and control.
“He can become a strong striker for the national team, but for the moment he has to continue his work and make progress.”
Redmond has widely been regarded as a top player for Saints this season following his summer move from Norwich.
It has just been goals that have been lacking with the double against Watford making it a total of six in 37 appearances in all competitions.
“It was time,” insisted Puel. “I am happy for Nathan.
“I think he doesn’t score a lot of goals and he has all the quality for this because he is very clinical in the training session with good feet and fantastic quality.
“It is not enough on the official game.
“It is important for the confidence for him and it’s important he tries because he has good feet.
“Sometimes it’s difficult because he likes to play with his partner with good assist and good control without shooting.
“I think and I hope this two goals gives him confidence for the future and we see many goals in the future.”
In amongst all the talk of how prolific Manolo Gabbiadini has been, there is an argument that the likes of Redmond and Dusan Tadic will increase their scoring tally as a result of opposition teams worrying about the Italian hitman.
“Perhaps,” suggested the Saints boss. “All the defenders could go with their concentration about Gabbiadini and all this gives opportunities for the other players.
“Long and Rodriguez and Bofual also. It’s important to have many solutions and not just one striker. It is important for more opportunities and more confidence for all the squad.”
“Man City are eyeing an £85m double swoop for William Carvalho and Ben Gibson” However, the Premier League big boys face competition from rivals City, according to The Sun. They say Pep Guardiola wants to spend £60m on Carvalho and splash a further £25m on Gibson. The City boss is also keeping an eye on Southampton star Ryan Bertrand as he aims to solve his defensive woes at the Etihad.
Guardiola wants Portugal international Carvalho as his new midfield enforcer and hopes to land Gibson as he plans to overhaul his defence. The Sun add that the trio will cost £115m in the summer if former Barcelona manager Guardiola gets his way.