Southampton claimed the scalp of another of the Premiership title contenders
as Matt Le Tissier returned to inspire them to a victory over Blackburn.
The Saints have transformed The Dell into a graveyard for title ambitions,
beating both Chelsea and Manchester United here in recent weeks, while also
defeating Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.
Despite a midweek defeat at the hands of Coventry, they again raised their
game for the visit of one of the League's leading clubs to further move away
from the relegation zone and into mid-table safety, and they did it in front of
a watching England coach Glenn Hoddle.
Le Tissier had been relegated to the substitutes bench for the last two games
but was reinstated to the starting 11 in the continued absence of leading scorer
Kevin Davies after an impressive show when he came on against Coventry in
midweek.
Although he tired towards the end, Le Tissier produced a performance that
rekindled memories of his best form.
And although Egil Ostenstad was the goal hero with two strikes, Southampton
manager David Jones would have been just as pleased by Le Tissier's return to
form.
The England reject set up Ostenstad's opener on 19 minutes with his
unselfishness.
He received the ball from Hirst just three yards out but, faced with the
imposing figure of Colin Hendry between him and the goal, he flicked the ball
across the face of the goal to the unmarked Ostenstad at the far post.
The striker gleefully stroked the ball home - with Hendry appealing in vain
for offside.
Southampton missed a host of chances before finally doubling their advantage
with 12 minutes to go.
Hirst, who has been the main culprit, shooting over the bar on at least three
occasions, this time turned and shot past keeper Flowers after defender Jeff
Kenna had failed to clear a cross from very impressive Saints' central defender
Claus Lundekvam.
Ostenstad wrapped up victory with two minutes to go when he capitalised on
keeper Paul Jones' long clearance and raced clear before rounding Flowers and
shooting into the empty net for his second goal of the game.
Blackburn, who have won only once at the Dell in their history - 60 years ago
- were hugely disappointing in the absence of Chris Sutton and Stephane Henchoz,
while Jason Wilcox and Stuart Ripley were left on the bench.
At times their defence seemed bemused by Le Tissier as, on one occasion, the
Channel Islander rolled the ball from one foot to the other in the penalty area
before picking out Hirst on the edge of the area, only for the centre-forward to
miss the chance.
Technically playing as a left-winger, he moved inside at will and even
sometimes tracked back to defend in a performance that will do his long-term
chances of an England recall no harm at all.
Blackburn could have gone behind as early as the third minute as defender Gary
Croft had to clear off the line after a powerfully driven cross from Le
Tissier.
The closest the visitors came to scoring was after Southampton keeper Jones
made a flying save to deny a volley from Martin Dahlin.
He then recovered after initially diving the wrong way to gratefully hang on
to a shot from Damien Duff.
Defender Marlon Broomes was also close with a header from a corner in his
first League start of the season, but Blackburn rarely threatened to trouble the
hard-working Southampton defence.
Teams
Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Benali, Richardson (Hughes 80), Dryden,
Lundekvam, Ostenstad, Hirst, Palmer, Oakley, Le Tissier.
Subs Not Used: Todd, Spedding, Williams, Moss.
Booked: Oakley.
Goals: Ostenstad 19, Hirst 78, Ostenstad 88.
Blackburn: Flowers, Kenna, Croft, Hendry, Broomes,
Flitcroft (Ripley 69), McKinlay, Sherwood, Gallacher,
Dahlin (Beattie 69), Duff.
Subs Not Used: Wilcox, Valery, Fettis.
Booked: Broomes, Hendry.
Att: 15,162
Ref: U D Rennie (Sheffield).
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