REPORT: Southampton halts rut with 2-0 win at Sheffield United

James Ward-Prowse and Che Adams scored either side of half-time to lift Southampton to a 2-0 win at Sheffield United and their first Premier League victory in 61 days.

Southampton, who had collected just one point from their last nine league fixtures, withstood an early push from bottom-of-the-table Sheffield before turning the tide from the spot.

Nathan Tella was a thorn for the defence all day and was brought down under a poor challenge from Ethan Ampadu giving referee Paul Tierney no choice but to point to the spot.

It was James Ward-Prowse who remained calm before sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 1-0 to Saints on 32 minutes.

David McGoldrick had a chance to draw Sheffield level approaching half-time when Ibrahima Diallo was caught in possession, but the striker’s chipped effort was easily collected by Fraser Forster.

Saints grabbed the all important second goal in the 49th minute after Stuart Armstrong chested the ball down for Adams to fire a splendid strike on the half-volley beyond the finger tips of Aaron Ramsdale.

Tella and Nathan Redmond forced Ramsdale into saves either side of a Takumi Minamino effort with Saints searching for a late goal to add to their lead.

Forster, meanwhile, back-stopped Southampton’s first clean sheet in the league since their victory over Liverpool back on January 4, which was also their last Premier League win.

Kyle Walker-Peters, Minamino and Diallo all returned to the starting line-up for Saints, but the South Coast club was dealt another injury blow with the early exit of Danny Ings.

Sheffield United (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Bryan, Ampadu, Baldock; Stevens, Fleck, Norwood (McBurnie 46), Lundstram, Bogle; McGoldrick (Mousset 58), Brewster (Sharp 68)

Unused subs: Foderingham (GK), Osborn, Lowe, Burke, Ndiaye, Maguire

Goals: None

Bookings: Ampadu (31), Bogle (36), Fleck (90+1), McBurnie (90+2)

Southampton (4-4-2): Forster; Bertrand, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Minamino (Djenepo 88), Ward-Prowse, Diallo, Armstrong; Tella (Redmond 76), Ings (Adams 13)

Unused subs: McCarthy (GK), Stephens, N’Lundulu, Salisu, Jankewitz, Chauke

Goals: Ward-Prowse (32), Adams (49)

Bookings: Tella (59), Armstrong (72), Vestergaard (90+2)