Report and highlights as Saints take big step towards Premier League survival
Saturday 13 April 2019 18:11, UK
Nathan Redmond scored twice as Southampton moved eight points clear of the Premier League relegation zone with a 3-1 victory over Wolves.
Redmond struck in the second minute at St Mary's and then again on the half-hour mark, shortly after Willy Boly had headed in an equaliser from a corner.
Shane Long made it 3-1 in the 71st minute, and Saints held on to take full advantage of losses for Cardiff and Brighton and move a step closer to survival, with chants of "we are staying up" ringing around the ground as manager Ralph Hasenhuttl celebrated on the pitch after the final whistle.
Wolves remain eighth in the table after failing to bounce back from their painful FA Cup semi-final defeat to Watford.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side lacked a cutting edge throughout, with only two of their 17 shots on target, and struggled to contain Southampton when they broke forward.
Southampton were quickly out of the blocks and took the lead in the second minute as Josh Sims, making his first Premier League start of the season, drove down the right and crossed for Redmond to finish.
Wolves went close to a response as Leander Dendoncker headed over from a free-kick and Raul Jimenez saw a low shot saved by Angus Gunn.
The equaliser arrived in the 28th minute when Boly attacked a corner and headed into the net.
But Saints quickly restored their lead as Sims slipped a pass through for Redmond and he coolly dinked over goalkeeper Rui Patricio as he went to ground.
Saints could have scored more as Sims twice missed the target from excellent positions inside the box.
Wolves improved after the break and Jota slashed a shot wide from the penalty spot before Jimenez blazed a volley over the bar from 12 yards out.
But the home side got a third when Long flicked past Patricio following excellent recovery work from Maya Yoshida, who passed through to the striker after seeing an overhead kick blocked from a corner.
Yoshida almost scored himself shortly afterwards when he was denied at close range by Patricio, and Saints comfortably held out to move a step closer to survival.
Redmond has been transformed since Ralph Hasenhuttl arrived at the club, and this was another impressive display. He produced composed finishes for both of his goals and remained a threat in the second half as Saints sat deeper and looked to hit on the counter.
Southampton travel to Newcastle next Saturday before going to Watford on Tuesday, April 23.
Wolves have back-to-back home games as they host Brighton on Saturday, April 20 and then face Arsenal on Wednesday, April 24.
