Redmond nets brace as Southampton beats Wolverhampton

Nathan Redmond fired Southampton eight points clear of the Premier League relegation zone in a 3-1 win over Wolverhampton on Saturday.

Southampton, which is look to curb late relegation drama for a second-straight year, remained in 16th on 36 points with five games remaining.

Redmond set Southampton on their way with a second-minute goal when he turned in Josh Sims’ delivery after being sprung down the wing by James Ward-Prowse.

Wolves would not be deterred by conceding an early goal and applied the pressure in search of an equaliser. Wilfred Boly brought the visitors level on 28 minutes rising above the crowd to head a Joao Moutinho corner into the net.

Redmond ensured the jubilation was short-lived as he restored Southampton’s lead just two minutes later after Danny Ings split the defence with a sensational pass.

Shane Long added a third goal after the break when he turned in a block effort from close range -- Maya Yoshida’s overhead kick attempt struck his defender before falling kindly to the second-half substitute.

Southampton: Gunn, Bertrand, Vestergaard, Yoshida, Bendarek, Valery (Stephens 86), Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Sims (Romeu 61), Redmond, Ings (Long 61).

Unused subs: McCarthy (GK), Targett, Armstrong, Austin.

Goals: Redmond (2, 30), Long (71).

Bookings: Bertrand (67).

Wolverhampton: Patricio, Boly, Coady, Saiss, Moutinho, Neves (Gibbs-White 69), Dendoncker, Jonny, Doherty (Traore 60), Jota (Helder Costa 87), Jimenez.

Unused subs: Ruddy (GK), Bennett, Cavaleiro, Vingare.

Goals: Boly (28).

Bookings: Moutinho (40), Jimenez (45+2), Saiss (74).