Report: Southampton 1-0 Leeds United

Report: Southampton 1-0 Leeds United

Whites defeated on South Coast.

Premier League


Southampton 1 (Broja 52)

Leeds United 0


Southampton: McCarthy, Livramento, Salisu, Bednarek, Perraud, Djenepo (S. Armstrong 60), Romeu, Diallo, Elyounoussi, Redmond, Broja (Walcott 81). Subs not used: Forster, Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Long, A. Armstrong, Tella, Valery.

Leeds: Meslier, Dallas, Cooper, Llorente, Shackleton, Struijk, Klich (Gelhardt 77), Roberts (Summerville 81), James, Harrison, Rodrigo (Forshaw 64).  Subs: Klaesson, Hjelde, Cresswell, Drameh, McKinstry, Greenwood.


Booked: Bednarek, McCarthy (Southampton), Roberts, Struijk, Llorente (Leeds)

Referee: David Coote


Venue: St Mary’s

Attendance: 30,506


Leeds United suffered a fourth Premier League defeat of the season, going down one-nil against Southampton at St Mary's.

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa made three changes from the side which beat Watford before the international break, with Pascal Struijk, Jack Harrison and Tyler Roberts, coming in for Junior Firpo, Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.

There were few chances in the opening period, Diego Llorente’s neat through ball was just too long for Daniel James to get on the end of and break through on goal, before Nathan Redmond fired wide for the hosts in the 14th minute from the edge of the Leeds box.

A string of chances then followed for Southampton, starting with Moussa Djenepo seeing a glancing header go just wide at a corner.

Next Redmond tried his luck from 25 yards, forcing Illan Meslier into a fine stop, with the Whites stopper tipping the effort around his post.

From the resulting corner, the home side had a great opportunity to take the lead when Redmond’s corner was flicked on by Armando Broja and Mohamed Elynoussi headed wide from a yard out at the back post, with the goal gaping. 

The hosts continued to press for the opener with Djenepo, Romain Perraud and Valentino Livramento all firing over from the edge of the box.

The Saints continued to dominant proceedings in the first period and again went close when Perraud weaved his way into the Leeds box and only another really good stop from Meslier denied him.

Leeds’ only shot in the half came just before the break, with Tyler Roberts’ long range effort going wide, as the two sides went in level at the break.

Half time: Southampton 0-0 Leeds United

The home side began the second half brightly, with Djenepo’s scuffed strike resulting in an easy save for Meslier.

Jack Harrison almost put Leeds ahead when he cut inside from the left, showing good footwork to break into the Southampton box, before seeing his strike deflect over.

From the resulting corner, Leeds pressed and continued to put balls into the Southampton box, however, when the hosts did clear, they did clinically.  Redmond broke away up the pitch and squared the ball to Broja who slotted home to give the Saints the lead.

Elyounoussi nearly doubled the Southampton lead in the 62nd minute, striking just inches wide with a curling effort from the edge of the Leeds box.

Leeds almost got back into the game when Dan James latched onto a lack of concentration from Mohammed Salisu, the Wales international stole the ball and went through on goal, but put the chance wide.

Borja was confident from his earlier goal and nearly added to his tally after working room for a shot in the Leeds area, but he couldn’t keep his strike down.

Leeds introduced youngsters Crysencio Summerville and Joe Gelhardt in the closing stages, with the latter coming on for his Premier League debut as Bielsa looked for an equaliser.

However, the hosts continued to limit Leeds' chances and held on for all three points.

Full time: Southampton 1-0 Leeds United

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