Search

Newsletter image

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Join 10k+ people to get notified about new posts, news and tips.

Do not worry we don't spam!

GDPR Compliance

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

Southampton 1 Crystal Palace 1: Saints denied first win since Feb 1 as Franca spares Eagles’ blushes in added time

Published on April 02, 2025 at 08:40 PM

MATHEUS Franca heaped more misery on Southampton – leaving Ivan Juric’s side with more work to do to avoid a Premier League low.

Paul Onuachu’s first half header appeared to set Saints on course for the win that would take his side past Derby record low points tally of 11 set in 2008.

Matheus Franca of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring a goal.
Matheus Franca cruelly denied Southampton a key win with a late equaliser
Matheus Franca of Crystal Palace scoring a goal.
Franca fired the ball low past Aaron Ramsdale as Saints still face making unwanted history

But Palace substitute Franca headed the equaliser in added time that denied Ivan Jurc’s side a third league win of the season.

At least the draw meant the south coast club avoided the possibility of becoming the first Premier League club to go down with seven games remaining this weekend.

The admission by keeper Aaron Ramsdale ahead of this game that beating Derby’s tally was Southampton’s main aim summed up the club’s dire position.

And there was little suggest that the meeting with in-form Palace would bring relief.

The Eagles progress this season has led to Oliver Glasner being linked with RB Leipzig.

And they arrived at St Mary’s fresh from booking their place in the FA Cup semi-finals and a trip to Wembley.

The quarter-final win at Fulham last Saturday marked Palace’s seventh successive clean sheet on the road – and a club record sixth successive away win.

And the opening seconds only reinforced the sense that Glasner’s side were in the mood to keep their impressive away streak growing.

The way Jean-Philippe Mateta easily turned Jan Bednarek sounded a warning – and Ramsdale was then relieved to see the striker thundering long-range shot crash against the underside of bar and away to safety.

With two minutes gone it looked as though it would be a case of same old, same old for Saints.

But to their credit they put that early shock behind them and began to pressure Palace.

Mateus Fernandes was prominent in their best moves and the playmaker gave the visitors a scare when his deflected shot looped over the bar.

The effort appeared to give Saints a lift and Juric’s side continued to press forward.

And their efforts were rewarded in the 20th minute when Onuachu headed them in front with his fourth goal of the season.

Fernandes was at the heart of the move as he exchanged passes with Flynn Downes to make progress on the right.

And the playmaker then whipped in a cross that Onuachu headed downwards and past Dean Henderson.

Southampton were in unfamiliar territory and the St Mary’s crowd were determined to enjoy it, launching into a tongue-in-cheek chant of “we are staying up”;;.

Glasner will have expected to the goal to have fired his side into life.

But there was little sign of a response from the visitors who continued to labour in the final third.

And when Mateta did produce a smart turn and shot after being picked out by Daniel Munoz, Ramsdale reacted well to save low to his left.

A strong run by Ismaila Sarr at the start of the second half suggested Palace were ready to fight back – but Eberechi Eze’s poor finish meant the chance was wasted.

And from that point Saints rarely looked like missing out on only a second home league win until Franca struck.

Paul Onuachu of Southampton scoring a goal.
Paul Onuachu heads Southampton into the lead
Southampton's Paul Onuachu celebrates a goal.
Onuachu celebrates his first half header
Prev Article

Crazy moment Jose Mourinho pinches Galatasaray manager’s NOSE before he falls to ground sparking chaos

Next Article

Sky Sports presenter Anna Woolhouse undergoes surgery and shares pictures from hospital bed as she gives health update

Related to this topic:

Comments (0):

Be the first to write a comment.

Post Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *