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Sam Vokes came off the bench to earn a stubborn Burnley side a third away victory of the campaign against struggling Southampton at St Mary’s.
The Clarets, who were also indebted to goalkeeper Nick Pope’s excellent performance, struck with just eight minutes remaining as Vokes expertly turned home Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s pinpoint cross to send the travelling supporters into raptures behind the goal.
Pope, a former Charlton Athletic youngster, made a string of fine saves, denying Nathan Redmond on three different occasions on a blustery afternoon on the south coast.
Redmond, who was thrust back in from the start by manager Mauricio Pellegrino after missing out against Brighton last week, was the Saints’ most obvious threat during a first half lacking clear-cut opportunities.
The England under-21 international created the first half chance, bursting into Burnley territory before blasting high over the cross bar.
Redmond then turned provider picking out an unmarked Sofiane Boufal at the back post, only for the Morocco international to volley straight at Pope.
More stoic Burnley defending denied Ryan Bertrand with James Tarkowski throwing himself brilliantly in the way of the left-back’s powerful low drive.
The attention soon reverted back to Redmond, whose endeavour was almost rewarded just before the break but Pope was on hand to expertly turn away his goal-bound effort to keep the scores level.
Southampton’s dominance continued early into the second half with Cedric’s right-wing cross met by Gabbiadini, but the Italian failed to trouble the unshakeable Pope.
Bertrand was proving a valuable outlet and the England international linked well with Redmond to force a succession of corners.
But the Saints couldn’t by-pass Pope, who pulled off another terrific one-handed save to keep out Maya Yoshida’s dipping volley from the edge of the box.
Southampton were relentless but equally just as wasteful. Captain Steven Davis volleyed high over the cross bar when well placed as Pellegrino’s side pressed by a decisive breakthrough.
The Argentine head coach threw on Charlie Austin with half an hour to go, withdrawing the ineffective Gabbiadini to the ironic cheers of the home support.
Austin ,who was yet to fully announce himself in a Southampton shirt since his arrival at St. Mary’s in 2016, instantly gave the crowd a much-needed boost winning a meaty 50/50 challenge with Tarkowski.
Inevitably though, the Saints’ wastefulness left them vulnerable to the counter attack with substitute pairing Vokes and Ashley Barnes forcing a shift in momentum.
Sean Dyche’s inspired double change paid dividends with just eight minutes remaining at St. Mary’s with Vokes accurately nodding beyond the clutches of Fraser Forster.
Gudmundsson cut in brilliantly from the right-hand side before delivering the perfect cross for Vokes, who alluded the attentions of Yoshida to guide his header into the back of the net.
Southampton pressed for a late equaliser with the excellent Tarkowski again throwing himself in the way of Austin’s ferocious strike.
A late flurry of crosses with dealt with expertly as Burnley held on to secure a third away victory of the season and condemn Southampton to another frustrating defeat in front of their own supporters.
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