Southampton slumps to 1-0 defeat at Cardiff City

Southampton slumped to a 1-0 Premier League defeat at Cardiff City, as a new era got under way under manager Ralph Hasenhüttl.

Hasenhuttl, who replaced the outgoing Mark Hughes on Wednesday, restored Oriol Romeu and Jan Bednarek to the line-up — both had been left by the wayside under Hughes.

Southampton was fortunate to go into half-time in a goalless draw, with Cardiff the holding their fair share of chances.

Bendarek did well to prevent Mendez-Laing from setting up Harry Arter for an easy goal, before Alex McCarthy denied Josh Murphy seven-minutes later.

Ravel Morrison then headed wide from a corner kick whilst Callum Patterson nearly made Southampton’s defence pay for an error at the back.

Southampton continued to withstand a flurry of attacks until Mario Lemina scuffed a volley over the bar nearing half-time.

Saints appealed for a penalty when Stuart Armstrong went down in the box, but the referee stood by his decision that Victor Camerasa did not make contact with the midfielder.

Jannick Vestergaard then was made to pay for a poor back pass that was read by Patterson, who calmly slotted past McCarthy.

Morrisson should’ve doubled the Cardiff lead, but headed wide twice from close-range, with Southampton hardly threatening the goal.

Cardiff City: Etheridge, Bennett, Bamba, Morrison, Ecuele Manga, Arter (Ralls 90), Gunnarsson, Camarasa, J. Murphy (Harris 85), Mendez-Laing (Hoilett 67), Paterson.

Unused subs: Smithies (GK), Peltier, Decordova-Reid, Madine.

Goals: Paterson (74).

Bookings: Morrison (20), Bennett (66).

Southampton: McCarthy, Valery (Stephens 46), Vestergaard, Bednarek, Targett, Hojbjerg, Lemina, Romeu (Ward-Prowse 80), Armstrong, Redmond, Austin (Gabbiadini 75).

Unused subs: Gunn (GK), Hoedt, Yoshida, Elyounoussi.

Goals: None.

Bookings: Valery (28), Romeu (74).