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Southampton 1-1 Middlesbrough: Emmanuel Latte Lath's late strike earns point for Boro

By Dan GeorgeBBC Sport at St Mary's

Last updated on .From the section Championshipcomments250

Emmanuel Latte Lath playing for Middlesbrough
Emmanuel Latte Lath joined Boro from Atalanta last summer

Southampton conceded a 90th-minute goal to draw with Middlesbrough as their Championship automatic promotion hopes suffered a blow.

Adam Armstrong's first-half strike was cancelled out by Emmanuel Latte Lath's late equaliser to leave Saints nine points behind second-placed Leeds United.

The hosts failed to capitalise on a number of chances at St Mary's as Latte Lath pounced for his 10th goal of the season.

Saints only had to wait 12 minutes to go in front as Kamaldeen Sulemana's jinking run and searching cross was sliced awkwardly into the air by Jonny Howson.

The ball fell to the feet of Armstrong whose drilled strike nestled into the bottom left-hand corner of Seny Dieng's net.

Russell Martin's side dominated the opening half hour of the game, moving the ball around well and creating opportunities.

But Middlesbrough almost equalised when Saints were caught out playing out from the back and Finn Azaz's low strike hit the post of Gavin Bazunu's goal.

Che Adams had a number of glorious chances for the home side after the break and also had a goal disallowed when he was deemed to be offside from Sulemana's cross.

Adams also found himself one-on-one with Dieng but his shot was parried behind for a corner and he struck wide from six yards.

Shortly after those misses he was replaced by Bournemouth loanee David Brooks.

Boro then found their way into the game as the second half developed, providing a constant threat on the break.

From one of those counter-attacks Isaiah Jones found himself through on goal but Jack Stephens closed in and made a crucial tackle to sweep the ball behind.

The visitors were eventually rewarded for their relentless pressure as Latte Lath nodded Michael Carrick's side level.

A point is unlikely to be enough, though, to reignite Boro's play-off push as they are now nine points behind sixth-placed Norwich with seven games remaining.

Southampton have a chance to re-ignite their automatic promotion push on Monday when they visit Ipswich.

Southampton boss Russell Martin told BBC Radio Solent:

"We should have won, we should score after the chances and need to be ruthless in our box.

"I'm really annoyed with both the chances we missed and the goal we conceded, it was a rubbish one to concede.

"I'm really looking forward to the Ipswich game, we go toe-to-toe with anyone, it won't change, the focus will be on us but we have to be more ruthless in both boxes."

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick told BBC Radio Tees:

"There was a lot of good football from both sides, it was a tough game.

"It was quite open in the second half, I was proud of the boys for how they did with the injuries we had.

"We were fantastic, we stuck together and showed quality. We could have maybe snatched it right at the end too."

Line-ups

Southampton

Formation 4-3-3

  • 31Bazunu
  • 2Walker-Peters
  • 21Harwood-Bellis
  • 5Stephens
  • 14Bree
  • 16SmallboneSubstituted forEdozieat 90+1'minutes
  • 4DownesBooked at 34mins
  • 17S ArmstrongBooked at 83minsSubstituted forAriboat 90+1'minutes
  • 9A ArmstrongSubstituted forMaraat 85'minutes
  • 10AdamsSubstituted forBrooksat 63'minutes
  • 20SulemanaSubstituted forFraserat 63'minutes

Substitutes

  • 3Manning
  • 7Aribo
  • 13Lumley
  • 18Mara
  • 19Rothwell
  • 23Edozie
  • 26Fraser
  • 35Bednarek
  • 36Brooks

Middlesbrough

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Dieng
  • 12AylingBooked at 45mins
  • 16Howson
  • 5Clarke
  • 27Engel
  • 4Barlaser
  • 28O'BrienBooked at 70mins
  • 11JonesBooked at 50minsSubstituted forGilbertat 81'minutes
  • 20AzazBooked at 62minsSubstituted forThomasat 90+2'minutes
  • 29GreenwoodSubstituted forSilveraat 75'minutes
  • 9Latte LathBooked at 50mins

Substitutes

  • 14Gilbert
  • 15Dijksteel
  • 18Silvera
  • 32Jones
  • 33Thomas
  • 47Willis
  • 48Lennon
  • 49McCabe
  • 59Woolston
Referee:
Matt Donohue
Attendance:
30,470

Match Stats

Home TeamSouthamptonAway TeamMiddlesbrough
Possession
Home62%
Away38%
Shots
Home13
Away8
Shots on Target
Home5
Away3
Corners
Home8
Away5
Fouls
Home5
Away14

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Southampton 1, Middlesbrough 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Southampton 1, Middlesbrough 1.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Sékou Mara (Southampton).

  4. Post update

    Daniel Barlaser (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  5. Post update

    Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Jonny Howson.

  6. Substitution

    Substitution, Middlesbrough. Luke Thomas replaces Finn Azaz.

  7. Substitution

    Substitution, Southampton. Samuel Edozie replaces Will Smallbone.

  8. Substitution

    Substitution, Southampton. Joe Aribo replaces Stuart Armstrong.

  9. Goal!

    Goal! Southampton 1, Middlesbrough 1. Emmanuel Latte Lath (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Alex Gilbert with a cross.

  10. Post update

    Attempt missed. Will Smallbone (Southampton) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.

  11. Post update

    Attempt saved. Ryan Fraser (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Will Smallbone.

  12. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Sam Silvera (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lukas Engel.

  13. Post update

    Flynn Downes (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  14. Post update

    Foul by Lukas Engel (Middlesbrough).

  15. Substitution

    Substitution, Southampton. Sékou Mara replaces Adam Armstrong.

  16. Post update

    James Bree (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Sam Silvera (Middlesbrough).

  18. Booking

    Stuart Armstrong (Southampton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  19. Post update

    Offside, Middlesbrough. Emmanuel Latte Lath is caught offside.

  20. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

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250 comments

  • Comment posted by jesspalmer110276, at 18:58 29 Mar

    I’m a Saints fan. I love the championship, love the drama, don’t mind a play off run in.

    But controversial but I don’t want to get promoted. The premier league is a joke.

    • Reply posted by PoppaPump, at 19:06 29 Mar

      PoppaPump replied:
      Leeds here and many of us feel much the same...of course you want your side to win every game but the EPL is such a nonsense of a league now, would prefer to win the title and stay in the Champo!

  • Comment posted by Chris, at 17:47 29 Mar

    Why do we have to have the borefest, pointless and harmful international breaks that we do, The players look for excuses not to play in them and just get in way of exciting league season - Boro had injured players missing today due to int matches. Anyone up for getting campaign going?

  • Comment posted by Simon W-P, at 17:28 29 Mar

    Che Adams showing us for the umpteenth game that he can't hit a barn door with a banjo. Wolves are welcome to him next season.

    • Reply posted by Afcb4ever, at 17:38 29 Mar

      Afcb4ever replied:
      Its a cheap option for Wolves, Free transfer and low wages

  • Comment posted by Andy, at 17:23 29 Mar

    Well that’s the end of getting one of the automatic promotion places and the play offs is always a lottery therefore I think we should be planning for another season in the Championship.

  • Comment posted by Steven , at 17:17 29 Mar

    Even Saints fans must admit after 2 points dropped this now makes the Ipswich game a ' Must Win '. That was a massive drop in points against a team with not much to play for.

    • Reply posted by Francismusic, at 18:09 29 Mar

      Francismusic replied:
      Well...outside chance of the playoffs actually. Bristol City definitely have nothing to play for but look who they beat today so your logic doesn't entirely hold.

  • Comment posted by Garry S, at 18:21 29 Mar

    Russell Martin sounds like a man under pressure. All goals tend to come from a mistake at some point on the pitch but Boro's goal was world class compared to Southampton's and he has the cheek to say "it was a rubbish one to concede". It is basic stuff, you need to score more than the opponent and you didn't - not even against our Boro reserve team. Thanks for the 4 points this year Southampton

    • Reply posted by andy1981, at 20:06 29 Mar

      andy1981 replied:
      Martin comes across as a "classless" guy. Thought it was a great ball in and a great header by LL. Does this possession is key rubbish that many teams try to play nowadays rather than putting the ball in the net, he did the same at Swansea. Not Boro's fault he wants to play that way and cannot beat a team missing 12+players before kick off.

  • Comment posted by Dave, at 17:52 29 Mar

    "Saints were caught out playing out from the back"

    ...FFS !!!!!

  • Comment posted by Fordycarp007, at 17:33 29 Mar

    Sadly another lead given away. I do have grave doubts about Saints being ready to go back up. If we can’t beat the Hulls and Millwalls how do we expect to beat any quality Premiership sides ? We’re just too inconsistent unfortunately.

  • Comment posted by User0921224906, at 17:17 29 Mar

    Heartbreak for the Saints. That should've been 3 points, and now? Ipswich Town and Leeds United can rest easier, even with Southampton's 2 games in hand. Good luck in the playoff, because I now don't see Saints getting automatic promotion. Boro? Good job, keep fighting, you're still not out of the playoff places.

    • Reply posted by Jim, at 17:19 29 Mar

      Jim replied:
      Gibson is frantically checking Norwich's finances with his legal people

  • Comment posted by Borocelona, at 18:21 29 Mar

    Well done Boro a great point on the road especially with more injuries prior to the game. Saints fans, if it is to be the playoffs so be it. It will be tough looking at the teams currently occupying 3-6 but you still have a great opportunity for an immediate return to the EPL. UTB!

  • Comment posted by Azalea, at 18:04 29 Mar

    Teams have seen through Saints fancy pancy overly elaborate pretentious game. We have an inflexible manager with no imagination and no other ideas. He has devised this eccentric strategy which has become tedious and boring. The one great promotion chance has gone. Bring in a coach with flair, vision and common sense. Being popular with his players means diddly squat. Most are mediocre anyway!!!!!

    • Reply posted by super dooper teams, at 18:31 29 Mar

      super dooper teams replied:
      Do you not think he has in a club as bad as yours the last few years done an amazing job? If by a little faith they go up? What will fans think then?....who on earth could have done a Better job?..your club are just really a small Town team in daddies clothes....mid table will always be the waterline. Be for Jesus instead. He is a real winner.

  • Comment posted by PATCH48, at 17:33 29 Mar

    Another 2 points lost for Saints. Where is the upfront fire power - and the tight defence. More of the same.

    • Reply posted by Gonzalo Gomez, at 17:45 29 Mar

      Gonzalo Gomez replied:
      There’s been no upfront fire power since Pelle left.

      How many years ago was that?

      Che Adams isn’t good enough for the Championship much less the Prem.

  • Comment posted by Cookie, at 17:22 29 Mar

    Never easy at this stage of the season, however saints have no one else to blame apart from themselves.
    Far too many point dropped, sadly the clubs history run is counting for nothing.

    • Reply posted by Fratton, at 17:37 29 Mar

      Fratton replied:
      What history?

  • Comment posted by Hedgehog, at 18:04 29 Mar

    Possession does not win matches, how many times does it take before it sinks in. Poor result for the saints

    • Reply posted by all together, at 20:16 29 Mar

      all together replied:
      Against our second team due to many injuries, doesn't look good. Proud of our lads today and Boro away support. UTB

  • Comment posted by lowercase, at 17:27 29 Mar

    From a realistic Saints fan - Well, that's the automatic promotion place gone. As usual we hog the possession and have little to show for it. I'm no longer expecting promotion this year. It remains to be seen if the owners will ditch Russell 'Tippy Tappy' Martin at the end of the season. I hope so. We need a decisive style of play in this difficult league. RM is the wrong man.

    • Reply posted by Fratton, at 17:32 29 Mar

      Fratton replied:
      He was a genius a couple of weeks ago.

      PuP

  • Comment posted by Dell boy, at 17:22 29 Mar

    The chances we missed today unbelievable, paying the price for not signing a striker in the window COYS

    • Reply posted by Gonzalo Gomez, at 17:50 29 Mar

      Gonzalo Gomez replied:
      And how many windows previous?

      Desperately short of a top striker since Pelle left.

      No excuses, been known for years.

  • Comment posted by Old birds rule, at 18:39 29 Mar

    Just not good enough for the Premier league

    • Reply posted by Brother Rock, at 18:58 29 Mar

      Brother Rock replied:
      Curious that. Probably why they're in the championship

      The insight in some of these comments is amazing

  • Comment posted by stevie, at 17:16 29 Mar

    It all went south. UTB!

  • Comment posted by Well blow me down, at 17:46 29 Mar

    Chickens coming home to roost, Saint's retained the services of two failed strikers Adams and Armstrong this season and although Armstrong is scoring now against inferior opposition both are just not good enough.

    • Reply posted by jaamesss, at 18:24 29 Mar

      jaamesss replied:
      I've read some ridiculous comments in my time, but this one really takes the biscuit.

  • Comment posted by petersfeildmitch, at 17:38 29 Mar

    Draw another game against a very average borough side we should have put our chances away and didn't and paid the price

    • Reply posted by Shanshak, at 17:59 29 Mar

      Shanshak replied:
      Fair point but it's Brough or boro. I know it makes no sense but it's never borough

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Ipswich39259581493284
2Leeds39258672304283
3Leicester38264874344082
4Southampton37228774482674
5West Brom3919101060372367
6Norwich391971371551664
7Coventry3816121062441860
8Preston38178135254-259
9Hull381610125348558
10Middlesbrough39167165453155
11Cardiff39165184353-1053
12Sunderland39156185045551
13Bristol City39148174345-250
14Watford391213145553249
15Swansea391211164959-1047
16Millwall391111173751-1444
17Stoke39128193753-1644
18QPR391110183851-1343
19Blackburn39119195165-1442
20Plymouth391011185564-941
21Birmingham39109204361-1839
22Huddersfield39815164364-2139
23Sheff Wed39116223162-3139
24Rotherham39311253080-5020
View full Championship table

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