REPORT: Danny Ings lifts Southampton to 1-0 win at Burnley

Danny Ings fired Southampton to a first victory of the 2020/21 Premier League season following a 1-0 win at Burnley on Saturday night.

Ings, who scored on Southampton’s only shot on target, pounced on Che Adams’ cut-back inside five minutes of the kick-off for his third goal in his last two games.

Kyle Walker-Peters had picked out the run of Adams before the forward chipped the ball back towards the middle of the box for Ings to direct his shot goal-bound.

A largely dormant fixture came briefly to life when Chris Wood’s header found the grasp of Alex McCarthy, with Burnley making a stronger start to the second half.

Wood was then denied the chance to draw Burnley level on 56 minutes after latching onto Nick Pope’s goal kick, but the forward was pulled back for having been in an offside position.

Confusion would ensue as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) rules instruct officials not to flag or whistle until a move is completed, allowing them to overturn any dispute through video evidence..

Following some desperate defending at the end, Saints grabbed their first top-flight win at Burnley since March 1971 at the full-time whistle, which was also won by a 1-0 scoreline.

Ralph Hasenhüttl reaction via Southampton FC:

“It’s difficult to play here. I think we had a very good performance tonight, especially against the ball and out of possession.

“We defended a lot but deserved to win. We still can do it better; the pressure was getting up and up in the second half.

“Yes, the goal was absolutely fantastic play. The deep run from Che was fantastic and the pass back in the area, fantastic goal from us.

“The work against the ball from the strikers was amazing and that was absolutely needed today.

“This time we really tried to play more, keep the ball on the ground and stay protecting our goal. I think I only saw one chance for Burnley.

“We did it much better than the last time we were here, we couldn’t concede late because we deserved to get the three points today.”

Jannik Vestergaard made his first start of the season for Southampton at Burnley in place of Jack Stephens who was dropped to the bench. He gave his post-match reaction via Southampton FC:

“We’re happy with the win, definitely. It was a hard-fought one and I think we did it well as a unit, defending the Burnley threats that they produce but I do think we have room for improvement and can control the game better.

“All in all, we’re happy with the win. It was an important one getting started in the new season and we’ll build from here.

“I’ve been happy with my perfromances of late, especially post lockdown break and I think I’m in a good place. I enjoy playing for this team and hopefully there will be many more in the future.”

Burnley (4-4-2): Pope; Taylor, Dunne, Long, Bardsley; McNeil, Brownhill, Westwood, Stephens; Vydra, Wood

Unused subs: Peacock-Farrell (GK), Lowton, Thomas, Pieters, Benson, Glennon, Goodridge

Goals: None

Bookings: Bardsley (48)

Southampton (4-4-2): McCarthy; Bertrand, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Djenepo (Tella 77), Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Armstrong; Ings, Adams (Obafemi 77)

Unused subs: Forster (GK), Stephens, Valery, Smallbone, Long

Goals: Ings (5)

Bookings: None