There goes the final whistle and Saints boss Ronald Koeman punches the air.

What a game and it's Southampton who hold on for the three points.

Thanks for joining me.

Virgil van Dijk has been a monster at the back for Southampton, getting his head onto everything.

Southampton almost there...

Can Stoke make anything of a late free-kick?

No.

Sadio Mane is off, adjudged to have committed an act of violent conduct, going for a header and catching Erik Pieters.

A nervous, nervous last few minutes for Southampton.

What an effort.

James Ward-Prowse hits the crossbar from the resulting free-kick, with Jack Butland beaten.

Philipp Wollscheid is lacking a few cells in the noggin. Your team needs a goal, so you've got to stay calm. 

Instead, he decides to turn into Hulk Hogan, slamming Shane Long into the ground and conceding a free-kick...

Stoke running out of ideas now. Have they got anything left to give? Can Marko Arnautovic conjure up some magic in the final few minutes?

All Stoke now, but Southampton - men together arm-in-arm - are standing strong.

Stoke starting to pump balls into the box, Southampton defenders have their work cut out now.

They're like the army in the film 300, using their swords, shields and whatever resources available to try and defend themselves against the opposition.

James Ward-Prowse strikes a long-range free-kick over the crossbar.

Meanwhile, what can Southampton do to combat the aerial threat of Peter Crouch?

Well, Ronald Koeman feels Maya Yoshida is the man to deal with the lanky striker, sending him on in place of Matt Targett.

Little man Mame Biram Diouf off, big man Peter Crouch on.

I wonder if the tactic will be to play short passes, gradually up to Crouchy?

Postpublished at 77 mins

77 mins

Stoke 1-2 Southampton

Stoke will be happy that they are still in this game.

Sadio Mane won't know where he is though.

Having just come on, he cops one straight in the face from Erik Pieters' cross. Ouch.

Thankfully, Mane regains his bearings and is able to continue. Could have been a nasty one.

And that is Dusan Tadic's last contribution. He goes off, on comes Sadio Mane.

A mix-up between the Stoke defence and goalkeeper, who leave it to each other.

Dusan Tadic nips in and rounds Jack Butland before going over.

Penalty surely?? NO, says Lee Mason.

No booking either.

A horrendous decision from the referee, Butland clearly caught Tadic there.

Image source, Reuters

"Delicately poised game now," says Alistair Mann, the MOTD commentator.

Agreed.

Tense stuff now.

Jordy Clasie's last act is to shoot high and wide of goal.

The Dutchman comes off and the impressive youngster James Ward-Prowse comes on.

Very exciting game now. If you're reading, tell your aunty, your grandad and your cat to tune in. Someone is sure to get another goal.

What a block.

Stoke striker Mame Biram Diouf steadies himself in the box and looks like he's got an easy finish, but Dutchman Virgil van Dijk shows great commitment to come across and block the shot.

Brilliant play from the centre-back. The home fans can't believe it.

Image source, AP