Southampton end winless run with victory over Sheffield United

Leo Scienza’s 7th minute strike was enough for Southampton to gain a much needed three points at St Mary’s.

The Home side wasted a number of good chances to build on their early breakthrough but were unable to breach Michael Cooper’s goal.

A first league win in seven for the Saints saw them jump up one place in the table, leapfrogging Swansea into 15ht on goal difference.

Despite Southampton’s large parts of dominance, the visitors almost found a late equaliser through Substitute Patrick Bamford in the 89th minute, but the hosts were able to cling onto their one goal lead.

Saints boss Tonda Eckert made four changes in all from the defeat to Hull City on Saturday, with Elias Jelert, Jack Stephens, Welington and striker Ross Stewart coming into the side.

It was the Brazilian, Welington, who made the difference for the hosts, who won the ball back high up in Sheffield United half and laying the ball off for fellow Brazilian Leo Scienza to score.

Ross Stewart, who was also brought into the starting eleven, has Saint’s best chance for a second, heading just wide from a corner in the 22nd minute. Midfielder Finn Azaz also had a good chance to double the host’s lead in the 30th minute after Flynn Downes teed up Azaz to shoot from eight yards out, but the Irishman wastefully put his shot wide.

The visitors grew into the game in the second half after a significantly poor first half, however failed to properly test the gloves of Saint’s ‘keeper Daniel Peretez, who claimed his first clean sheet for the club since joining on loan from Bayern Munich earlier in the transfer window.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder brought on former St Mary’s favourite Danny Ings in the 79th minute in a bid to find the equaliser but he couldn’t get on the end of any chances.

Tonda Eckert’s Southampton have another quick turnaround this week, making the short trip to Fratton park to face local rivals Portsmouth on Sunday Afternoon, which will be the first league South Coast derby at Fratton Park since 2011.