Southampton proved that their stunning victory over Manchester United was no
flash in the pan when they burst Liverpool's title bubble today.
Southampton had not won in their previous 15 trips to Anfield and had managed
only one previous success on this ground in 28 games.
But from the moment they grabbed the lead through an early David Hirst
penalty, their resilience and ambition grew by the minute.
Liverpool were poor - they lacked guile and creativity in midfield and toiled
against a Saints defence that stood up magnificently to the onslaught that
eventually came in the second period.
Goalkeeper Paul Jones, the man who virtually single-handedly denied United,
was once again outstanding.
The fact that Michael Owen celebrated his call-up for England with two goals
was scant consolation for Liverpool, who saw an eight-match unbeaten run come to
an end.
Southampton survived the barrage, and caught Liverpool cold with two counter
punches in the dying minutes.
Southampton's intentions to give Liverpool a battle were clear from the start.
They were swiftly into tackles and worried Liverpool's back-line with their
pace.
Saints almost scored inside two minutes when David James fumbled a close range
Kevin Davies header, David Hirst and Michael Owen could both have scored in the
following minutes, but it was Liverpool who were dramatically behind after eight
minutes.
Referee Jeff Winter excellently played advantage after Steve Harkness cut down
David Hughes as he released Matthew Oakley. Oakley raced into the box, pushed
the ball past James, and was sent spinning to the floor by the keeper, who was
lucky only to get booked.
Hirst crashed home the penalty past James, but only after several minutes as
both Hughes and Oakley received lengthy treatment.
Saints' keeper Jones was at his best after ten minutes when Robbie Fowler met
Owen's cross with great power just six yards out, the Welshman making a stunning
reflex save.
It was all high speed stuff, and Liverpool were level after 25 minutes when
Rob Jones' cross from the right caused panic in the Southampton defence.
Oyvind Leonhardsen had one chance to finish the move, but as the ball broke
off Jason Dodd in the six-yard box, Owen lashed it into the roof of the net.
Fowler stupidly got himself booked after 31 minutes when he knelt down in
front of a Southampton free-kick to tie his bootlaces!
Liverpool were rarely allowed a clear chance, although Paul Ince saw one
long-range shot deflect off a defender, but Jones was still sharp enough to save
to his right.
Then after 37 minutes, Ince clipped the ball into Owen's path. He tried to
chip Jones, but the 'keeper reached up to touch the ball into the air and then
catch it as it fell.
Southampton lost Davies with a recurrence of his leg strain, Egil Ostenstad
took his place up front, and Claus Lundekvam was later carried off to be
replaced by Richard Dryden.
It did little to dampen Southampton's desire to mix it and Liverpool boss Roy
Evans brought on Patrik Berger and Danny Murphy for Leonhardsen and Jamie
Carragher.
But only a McManaman pass that sent Fowler in for a half chance that Jones
smothered, and then a surging run from McManaman that produced a blistering shot
over the angle, threatened to break Southampton down.
Jones was outstanding. He dived at Owen's feet to clutch the ball away and
then hurled himself to fingertip away a searing 20-yard drive from Murphy. Six
minutes from time the roof fell in on Liverpool.
They were caught hopelessly outnumbered on the break. Hirst flicked the ball
into Ostenstad's path, and the Norwegian raced away to crack the ball past
James.
A minute from time, Saints grabbed their third when Ostenstad repaid the
favour, sending Hirst in to belt in the third.
The fact that Owen headed home his and Liverpool's second deep into injury
time did nothing to lift the gloom.
Liverpool (1) 2 Southampton (1) 3
Liverpool: James, Jones, Matteo, Babb, Harkness, McManaman, Ince,
Carragher (Murphy 58), Leonhardsen (Berger 58), Fowler, Owen.
Subs Not Used: Kvarme, Riedle, Wright.
Booked: James, Fowler.
Goals: Owen 24, 90.
Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Todd, Monkou, Lundekvam (Dryden 49),
Oakley (Williams 15), Beresford, Davies (Ostenstad 39),
Richardson, Hughes, Hirst.
Subs Not Used: Le Tissier, Moss.
Booked: Monkou, Hughes.
Goals: Hirst 8 pen, Ostenstad 85, Hirst 90.
Att: 43,550
Ref: J T Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).
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