Southampton 0-1 Stoke City: Potters safe after win over Saints
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Stoke City have achieved Championship safety after a win over promotion chasing Southampton
Stoke City achieved Championship safety with a win over promotion-chasing Southampton, who have now lost three games in a row.
The visitors took the lead after an impressive start with Tyrese Campbell firing under keeper Alex McCarthy.
Saints had a number of chances to level but were unable to beat Daniel Iversen, and also had two appeals for penalties waved away.
Russell Martin's side are now mathematically unable to achieve automatic promotion, six points off second place with one game remaining, but remain fourth in the table.
Stoke had a glorious chance to break the deadlock early on, Alex McCarthy palming the ball into the path of Josh Laurent, who poked the ball wide from close range.
The visitors piled on the pressure, playing the ball around Southampton's defensive third, while the home side struggled to retain possession to the frustration of their supporters.
Sekou Mara came close to an opener on 20 minutes, latching onto a ball played over the top and heading over the hesitant Iversen, but Luke McNally was there to sweep the ball away to safety.
Saints enjoyed more possession as the first half wore on and David Brooks forced Iversen into a save after the ball was cut back to him inside the box.
But Stoke went in front with 10 minutes left before the interval as Campbell beat Taylor Harwood-Bellis and drilled the ball home for his second league goal of the season
The goal sent the travelling supporters into loud celebrations with chants of "we are staying up" ringing out from the away end.
Saints nearly conceded again at the start of the second period after a mistake by Jack Stevens, but a lunging tackle by Jan Bednarek - brought on as a substitute for Harwood-Bellis at the break - averted the danger.
Saints boss Martin made further changes at the hour mark, introducing Che Adams and Flynn Downes in search of an equaliser.
There were two big shouts for a penalty in the later stages, Sam Edozie going down in the box and Adams appearing to shoot against the hands of a Stoke defender, but both were in vain.
Southampton failed create any clear chances in the final moments, and the biggest cheer from the home supporters coming when a Stoke clearance was booted out of the stadium.
They booed the Saints players at the final whistle, while the visiting supporters provided a stark contrast, with jubilant celebrations as they celebrated remaining in the second tier for next season.
Southampton boss Russell Martin told BBC Radio Solent:
"There were a lot of changes today, we had a bad start to the game and Stoke were really good.
"It's been a busy week and a tough week, I'm disappointed its ended like that at home.
"We have another game to prepare for before the two biggest games of the season."
Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher told BBC Radio Stoke:
"The win means everything to us, I'm relived more than anything.
"Overall I'm delighted with the performance, the players were excellent and fully deserved the win.
"We have had more shots than Southampton, double as many attacks. Not many teams will come here and do that."