Southampton new signing Marians Pahars marked his home debut with a goal in a
thrilling relegation battle with fellow strugglers Blackburn.
The Latvian international front man, an #800,000 signing from Skonto Riga on
transfer deadline day, knocked in a header in the 85th minute to mark an
extraordinary comeback by Saints in a game both sides desperately needed to
win.
Pahars had only been on the pitch for seven minutes when he arrived in the
six-yard box to nod home a cross from James Beattie with his first shot on goal
in Premiership football since becoming the first Latvian to ply his trade in
professional football in Britain.
It left Blackburn to settle for a point in a game which swung between the two
sides who are battling it out with Everton and Nottingham Forest for survival.
Brian Kidd's side had looked likely to claim all three points from the moment
when Ashley Ward had given them the lead against a lacklustre Southampton outfit
who are struggling in the absence of inspirational centre-back Ken Monkou.
Kevin Gallacher, starting his first game for Rovers since January after
recovering from a knee injury, set up the goal for Ward who allowed the ball to
roll past him before smashing a shot past diving Neil Moss.
Chris Marsden equalised for Southampton in the 22nd minute to inspire belief
among fans that their side could get back into the game.
Marsden leapt to smash home a fine header from a cross by Jason Dodd but
Blackburn's determination ensured Southampton's joy was short lived.
Darren Peacock, inspirational at the back for Rovers all afternoon, showed his
worth in attack after 25 minutes as woeful marking by Southampton cost them
dear.
Jason Wilcox sent in a corner and Peacock was left alone at the near post to
crash home Blackburn's second.
It all looked over in the 42nd minute when Wilcox arrived inside the
Southampton penalty area to head home a cross from Jason McAteer with Moss
easily beaten.
But then former Manchester United and Chelsea striker Mark Hughes chose the
perfect moment to score his first goal for Southampton.
The Welsh international veteran, who last found a target while playing for
Chelsea against Liverpool 51 weeks ago, turned in a cross from James Beattie to
inspire Southampton to a memorable finish.
It was a huge relief for Hughes whose season at The Dell following his £650,000 move from Chelsea has been blighted by disciplinary problems.
Southampton threw everything forward in a last desperate attempt to cling on
to their Premiership status and prolong a 21-year stay in the top flight.
Pahars replaced Scott Hiley in the 78th minute and in his first meaningful
attack on goal he showed why manager Dave Jones had spent so much time and
effort trying to bring him to Southampton.
David Hughes did well to create the effort finding Beattie with a lovely pass
and the former Blackburn striker pulled the ball back across the face of goal
for the little Latvian to head home from close range.
Beattie almost scored the winner for Southampton against his old club in the
88th minute but his fiercely-struck left foot effort was somehow battered away
by Peacock.
Teams
Southampton: Moss, Hiley (Pahars 78), Lundekvam, Benali,
Colleter (D. Hughes 45), Le Tissier, Dodd, Marsden, Kachloul,
M. Hughes, Ostenstad (Beattie 45).
Subs Not Used: Bridge, Stensgaard.
Booked: Le Tissier, D. Hughes.
Goals: Marsden 22, M. Hughes 61, Pahars 85.
Blackburn: Filan, McAteer, Peacock, Henchoz (Broomes 45),
Davidson, Gillespie, Carsley, Johnson (Dailly 78), Wilcox, Ward,
Gallacher (Davies 69).
Subs Not Used: Marcolin, Flowers.
Booked: McAteer, Gillespie.
Goals: Ward 14, Peacock 25, Wilcox 47.
Att: 15,209
Ref: G Barber (Pyrford).
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