Southampton welcomed Burnley to St Mary’s on Sunday as the Saints turned it on in the second half, ensuring a comfortable victory.
The Saints began the game well as Charlie Austin and Dusan Tadic combined well to create early danger. Austin then had a glorious chance to score with a header but was somehow denied by a superb stop from Tom Heaton with seven minutes played.
The game experienced a lull over the following period as both sides were happy to stroke the ball around without serious intent. Jeff Hendrick then fired off a shot from long range but it was both high and wide.
The defenses of the two sides continued to remain on top as the half wore on but with 36 minutes gone a superb ball from Tadic allowed Austin to be played in. The striker failed to bring the ball under his spell, however, and the chance was wasted.
Nathan Redmond produced a fine piece of skill as his powerful shot forced another fine save from Heaton just before half time. A near identical move produced the same outcome just a few minutes later as the whistle blew for the interval with the sides level at 0-0.
The Saints began the second half on the front foot and former Burnley star Austin soon had them a goal to the good as he forced a loose ball over the line after a scuffle in the box with 52 minutes played.
10 minutes later, the Southampton doubled their lead. Redmond was the scorer as he controlled a ball at the back post before drilling it into the net.
Just five minutes later the Saints were awarded a penalty as Sam McQueen was fouled by Johann Berg. Austin stepped up and duly buried the spot kick to put Southampton 3-0 up.
Burnley had were handed a penalty of their own after 71 minutes as Ben Mee was fouled by Tadic. Sam Vokes duly converted to reduce the deficit with just under 20 minutes of regulation time still to play.
Steven Davis had a late chance to put the gloss on the Saints’ performance but he dragged his shot wide of the mark after 86 minutes.
It proved the last chance of the contest as the Saints cruised to a comfortable 3-1 victory.
Photo: Premier League Website
