Huddersfield Town vs Southampton. Premier League.
The John Smith's StadiumAttendance22,384.
Report and highlights as Huddersfield suffer more home woe
Saturday 22 December 2018 17:56, UK
Michael Obafemi's first goal for Southampton put the seal on a 3-1 victory at Huddersfield, earning new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl back-to-back wins.
Looking to build on last weekend's thrilling victory over Arsenal, Nathan Redmond edged the visitors in front as early as the 15th minute, finishing well for his first goal of the season, and the home side found themselves two goals down three minutes before the break, with Danny Ings winning a penalty before converting from the spot with aplomb.
Out of nowhere, Philip Billing rifled a strike into the net in the 58th minute to get the hosts back in the contest, before Obafemi became the youngster player from the Republic of Ireland to score in the Premier League when sealing victory in the 71st minute.
The result means Huddersfield remain with just one home win all season as they sit 19th, four points from safety, while victory sees Southampton climb to 16th, three points clear of the relegation zone.
After another disappointing home defeat last weekend against Newcastle, the home fans were expecting more pre-match, but soon saw their side fall behind once more with just 15 minutes on the clock.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg threaded a lovely through pass for Redmond, who let the ball run into his path before lifting the ball over the onrushing home goalkeeper Jonas Lossl.
Redmond was causing all kinds of problems for the home defence and only some timely interceptions prevented him from causing more damage, but Saints did not have to wait too long for their second goal, with Ings felled in the box by a clumsy challenge from Mathias Jorgensen, before getting up to convert his third penalty of the season.
After the break, Huddersfield raised their game, but still struggled to create any openings of note before Billings shocked Saints with his long-range strike, with the swerve getting the better of Alex McCarthy in the visitors' goal.
McCarthy was then forced into a smart save to deny Isaac Mbenza, before Obafemi came off the bench to make sure of the win, stroking the ball home after Redmond had stolen the ball off Christopher Schindler before teeing up the youngster.
Steve Mounie's close-range miss late in the day summed up Huddersfield's afternoon, as they go into a clash with Manchester United without a win in five league games.
It has not gone Redmond's way this season so far, but he has kept going, picking up his first assist last weekend, before finally netting his first goal of the season this weekend.
He continued to stretch Huddersfield in the second half, and claimed another assist after refusing to give up the chase. His work ethic and productivity both seem to be on the up under Hasenhuttl.
Huddersfield travel to Manchester United next on Boxing Day, while Southampton have a day extra recuperation, hosting West Ham on December 27, live on Sky Sports.