Southampton 1-1 Huddersfield: Alex Pritchard punishes Angus Gunn in draw at St Mary's

Nathan Redmond opened the scoring with a fierce strike in the final five minutes of the first half

Alex Pritchard capitalised on Southampton keeper Angus Gunn's mistake to rescue a draw for Huddersfield in their final Premier League game before dropping into the Championship.

The hosts were cruising after Nathan Redmond's opener but Saints goalkeeper Gunn was too relaxed on the ball as Pritchard stole possession and rolled in a second-half equaliser.

Redmond had fired a stunning opener after a disappointing first 40 minutes as Southampton looked on course to end a run of four games without victory.

James Ward-Prowse nearly doubled Saints' lead with an equally fierce strike after the interval but Premier League debutant Joel Coleman acrobatically tipped the ball over the bar.

Pritchard's equaliser ensured the Terriers claimed only their seventh point on the road as they finished bottom of the table.

While Huddersfield drop down a division after two seasons in the Premier League, Southampton will have to eliminate their mistakes if they are to avoid flirting with a similar fate next season.

End of season feel in the sunshine

With nothing riding on the result, the game failed to live up to the glorious weather on the south coast and Karlan Grant's tame effort was the only shot on target for 40 minutes in the beaming sunshine.

But with the game heading for the break, Redmond cut inside on to his favoured right foot before smashing past Coleman from just outside the area.

The visitors fluorescent shirts aside, the winger was the brightest spark on display, also making more key passes (6) than any other player on the pitch.

As he said after the game, the "end of season feel" made it difficult with "nothing to play for".

Gunn's careless error certainly added to the match's lackadaisical feel.

The 23-year-old was in no apparent danger from Ryan Bertrand's pass back, but his touch eluded him allowing Pritchard to take possession and score in front of the vociferous Huddersfield fans.

Southampton finished just five points above the drop zone and Ralph Hasenhuttl's recruitment drive over the summer will be key to ensuring they finish in a better position this time next year.

Late season promise for Terriers

Huddersfield's relegation was eventually confirmed six weeks ago during a hugely disappointing campaign.

Goals have been a real issue for the Terriers and Gunn's final day gift was only their 22nd of the season - just four more than Derby County's Premier League record from 2007-08 for the fewest goals in a season.

Jan Siewert's side only produced three attempts on target, as Grant struck two shots from distance straight at Gunn before Pritchard secured a share of the spoils.

However, seven goals in their last eight games, compared to four in their opening 10, suggests the west Yorkshire club played with greater freedom and attacking intent once their fate was sealed.

A home draw with Manchester United and an away point at Southampton are two credible results to end an otherwise forgetful season, and Siewert will be hoping his players can carry that momentum through the summer into next term.

Huddersfield may face a battle to keep some of their key players but retaining the likes of Pritchard and Aaron Mooy, who made more passes in the opposition half than any other player (42), will be crucial in their chances of returning to the top-flight.

Man of the match - Nathan Redmond (Southampton)

Nathan Redmond was a constant threat for Saints, opening the scoring with his sixth Premier League goal of the season

'Every time we make a mistake it's a goal' - what they said

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said: "We had the chances to kill the game but the problem with clean sheets has been a picture of the season. We must stop these mistakes and today it was Angus Gunn. We want to play out but decision making and good anticipation is important. At that moment we cannot dribble out like Angus did and it's been unbelievable this year that when we make a mistake it's a goal. We have to sort that next season.

"We know we have a lot of things to do in the summer and we will, with this squad and new players also. We need to bring a few guys in and then we have to work hard with them."

On Nathan Redmond's performance: "It is one of his biggest threats to go inside and finish with the right foot. We had other chances but it is disappointing not to win the game and jump another place in the table."

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Huddersfield manager Jan Siewert said: "I would say we got a positive result. It's not easy after being relegated to play Man Utd and Southampton. I could see they were exhausted so it's credit to my players. We wanted to build momentum and we could have made more of our chances in the first half. Then they scored so we had to take that. It was a tough season for everyone at the club so it's important we forget about the season and go away on holiday and refresh."

On Joel Coleman's Premier League debut: "He deserved his chance and I think he took it. These last two results will stay in the minds of the supporters and we have a chance to build on it. I'm looking forward to building in the summer but I'm looking forward to a holiday. There might be some interest in our players from other clubs but we have to make decisions which will suit our club and we have to look forward."

Redmond's best season comes to an end - the stats

• Only Derby in 2007-08 (11) and Sunderland in 2005-06 (15) have won fewer points in a single Premier League season than Huddersfield in 2018-19 (16).

• Huddersfield (-54) are just the second side in a 20-team Premier League season to finish with a goal difference worse than -50 after Derby County in 2007-08 (-69).

• Southampton are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Huddersfield in all competitions (W2 D3), winning one and drawing three of their four Premier League games.

• Southampton's Nathan Redmond has been directly involved in 10 Premier League goals this season (6 goals, 4 assists); his best return for goal involvements in a single campaign in the top-flight.

• Nathan Redmond has scored as many Premier League goals under Ralph Hasenhuttl in 23 appearances (six) as he managed in his previous 75 Southampton matches.