Southampton 2-0 Burnley

  • Published
Shane Long scoresImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Southampton striker Shane Long scored just his third league goal of the season

  • Southampton keep pressure on Premier League top four

  • Goalkeeper Fraser Forster injures knee and shoulder

  • Striker Shane Long scores third league goal of season

  • Burnley remain in the relegation zone

Southampton boosted their hopes of securing a Champions League place with victory over struggling Burnley.

Home goalkeeper Fraser Forster - called up to the England squad this week - was taken off on a stretcher early on with injuries to his knee and shoulder.

Shane Long stroked in the opener for the home side from close range, before Graziano Pelle rattled the crossbar.

Substitute keeper Kelvin Davis made saves from Sam Vokes and Danny Ings, before Jason Shackell's own goal.

The Saints were expected to struggle this season after a summer of upheaval at St Mary's, but manager Ronald Koeman has galvanised the side, leading them to an impressive campaign.

With eight games left, they remain in contention to finish in the top four and are likely to better last season's eighth-place Premier League finish.

Media caption,

Koeman backs Saints for Europe

They are currently sixth, with the two sides immediately above them - Liverpool and Manchester United - meeting at Anfield on Sunday.

Both sides at St Mary's looked intent on bringing the ball down to play neat football - and, despite being in relegation trouble, the Clarets often troubled the Southampton backline.

Vokes and Ings were a dangerous presence throughout, but were thwarted by 38-year-old Davis who came on after Forster was injured clearing the ball.

Striker Long diverted home Nathaniel Clyne's driven shot to open the scoring eight minutes before half-time.

Burnley captain Shackell then inadvertently knocked the ball into his own net from Ryan Bertrand's cross after 58 minutes to make it 2-0.

Southampton have the league's tightest defence, having only 21 goals in 30 games, and they held firm to keep the pressure on the sides above them.

Burnley's undoing this season has been their form away from Turf Moor - they have now up just eight points in 15 games on their travels.

Unable to follow up last weekend's superb victory over champions Manchester City, they remain 18th in the table, with 19th-placed QPR at home to Everton on Sunday.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman:

"Kelvin Davis is a very experienced goalkeeper.

"He was looking very comfortable and confident and made two great saves. The Danny Ings shot was a great save at a very important moment.

Media caption,

Poor finishing cost us again - Dyche

"It is difficult because it was a long time ago that he played. The positive thing is that he is an experienced goalkeeper.

"He wasn't nervous to come in, he looked comfortable and that is important for the defenders and the team organisation."

Burnley boss Sean Dyche:

"I thought we had four key chances, certainly three, and we didn't take them.

"They were good saves from the keeper but I played with Kelvin a long time ago and they are saves a keeper of his calibre was expected to make.

"I was disappointed in the finishing because at half-time you're scratching your head at how we are 1-0 down."

Image source, Reuters
Image caption,

Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster suffered injuries to his knee and shoulder early on in the match

Image source, PA
Image caption,

Burnley strikers Danny Ings (left) and Sam Vokes both missed good chances for the visitors

Image source, PA
Image caption,

Burnley remain in the relegation zone after their ninth away defeat

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Southampton will be hoping for a draw between Liverpool and Manchester United when the sides meet at Anfield on Sunday

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