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Saints ended a 312 minute run without a goal as they defeated Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside Stadium.
Claude Puel produced a shock team selection for his side’s final away game of the campaign and it paid off as they produced a 2-1 victory at already relegated Boro thanks to goals in either half from Jay Rodriguez and Nathan Redmond.
The win briefly eases the pressure on Puel as his side go level on points with eighth placed West Brom.
Martin Caceres had an early taste of the action as he made sure he was in position to block Patrick Bamford’s effort on the turn in the box in the first minute of the game.
As the match settled it became clear that Puel’s surprise line-up had Oriol Romeu holding at the base of the midfield with Jordy Clasie and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg ahead.
Jay Rodriguez spearheaded the attack, with Sofiane Boufal and Shane Long off of him on the left and right respectively.
However, they weren’t exactly on the front foot at the start of the match, which was bumbling along at a serene pace with both sides struggling to really impose themselves on the game as it turned into a scrappy midfield battle.
It took until 23 minutes for either side to have what might be deemed as a proper shot as Shane Long’s cross from the right came to Ryan Bertrand just inside the area.
He had to take it first time with his weaker right foot and it was scuffed harmlessly wide of the near post.
Boro had a sighter from a set piece as Romeu’s sliding challenge brought down Bamford as he hit a shot from outside the area straight at Fraser Forster.
Referee Anthony Taylor gave Boro the free kick but Alvaro Negredo’s shot hit the wall.
Boro had their best opening of the game on 27 minutes as Adam Forshaw swung in a cross from the left that was met by George Friend at the far post, but he headed down and wide.
Long and Rodriguez combined incisively for the first time four minutes later but the former’s attempted low ball across the area to find Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for a far post tap-in was intercepted by Boro keeper Brad Guzan.
Bertrand had a chance from a set-piece on 34 minutes as Clasie was brought down to win his side a free kick 25 yards out to the right of centre. However, the left back hit the wall.
There was a rare shot on target four minutes later as Hojbjerg struck a very optimistic long range free kick which ballooned up off the wall. Maya Yoshida headed it goalwards from 12 yards out but it was straight at Guzan who had a comfortable save.
The Saints supporters responded with a chant of ‘we’ve had a shot.’ The fans were in raptures, therefore, when Saints took the lead three minutes before half time.
It was a simple but well worked goal as Clasie played a ball down the right to Long, who expertly cut back a cross to Rodriguez.
The striker did the rest with a superb first time right footed sweeping finish from 12 yards out into the bottom corner.
Bofual had the final kick of the half as he got a free kick on target. It was an easy stop for Guzan but it was advantage Saints at the break.
Forshaw had an effort for Boro on the half volley from just outside the box three minutes after the restart but Hojbjerg deflected it wide.
Bamford should have done much better when he had the chance to hit a half volley after Stewart Downing headed back across goal but he failed to make any meaningful contact.
Boro paid the price as Saints were not so generous and doubled their lead on 58 minutes.
Some slick Saints passing and pitiful Boro defending allowed Redmond to get the ball on the right and cut inside and into the area. Under little pressure he lined up a right footed shot from 12 yards out and brilliantly curled it into the opposite top corner for 2-0.
Boro made a double change on the hour mark as Grant Leadbitter and Viktor Fischer replaced Forshaw and Downing.
Saints had the perfect chance to add another goal to their tally on 64 minutes as they were awarded a penalty.
Long was breaking into the area when Guzan dived in and brought him down.
Long stepped up to take it, gave it some welly but leant back and the ball clipped the top of the bar as it went over.
Redmond went close again four minutes later but from a tight angle put his effort over the top.
Boro got themselves back into it on 73 minutes with a goal from a corner.
Fischer put in a left wing inswinger and Bamford held off the attentions of Bertrand to head home from close range at the near post.
Puel threw on Steven Davis for Hojbjerg to try and shore things up.
Saints put their attacking ambitions somewhat to one side in the closing stages as they tried to ensure they took the three points home with them from the north east.
There was a welcome sight for Saints fans three minutes from time as Charlie Austin came on for his first appearance since injuring his shoulder in December, though somewhat sadder to see was Long having to limp off.
Calum Chambers hit a fierce drive from 20 yards that forced Forster into a save down to his right in four minutes of added time but the Saints keeper made a solid stop.
Rodriguez had an opportunity for another goal moments later but missed the target from the edge of the area.
However, it didn’t matter as Saints ended their run without a win and a goal by securing the three points in their final away game of the season.
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