Southampton fans will be able to sleep much easier this weekend as they are safe in the knowledge that their beloved club are almost secured another campaign of Premier League football come August.
That is because of the Saints win over Swansea on Wednesday night at the Liberty Stadium, a game that what was for all intents and purposes a relegation six pointer. This tense affair was decided by a solitary second half goal from substitute Manolo Gabbiadini.
The former Napoli forward was bought on as something of an enforced substitution due to the injury to defender Jan Bednarek. Credit however must go to Mark Hughes for his decision to then switch to a formation with two attackers.
A decision that certainly paid dividends just minutes after as Southampton broke Swansea hearts to go three points clear of the only team that leapfrog them on the final day of this season. That said it will have to take a remarkable turn around of results for that to happen.
Southampton have a nine goal advantage and will need to suffer a heavy defeat on Sunday, while Swansea will have to record a glut of goals against Stoke on the same day. That said the Saints could not have been paired with a worse team in regard to a potential attacking threat.
That is because they are playing hosts to the footballing juggernaut otherwise known as Manchester City, Pep Guardiola’s men have already scored over a century of goals this season and now will be looking to secure a treble figure tally of points too.
They currently find themselves on ninety seven points, a number they added to on Wednesday when they beat Brighton 3-1 at the Etihad. Leroy Sane may not have got on the score sheet himself but the former Schalke forward was instrumental in City’s win.
The German international created all three goals as this season’s Premier League champions eventually made light work of Brighton after an initial first half scare when Leonardo Ulloa’s strike cancelled out Danilo’s opener.
That said you got the feeling that the result was never really going to be in doubt and towards the end the game had something more resembling a testimonial, especially as Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure played his last game for the club.
The former Barcelona player will be looking for pastures new in the Summer but the question will also be just as to how many new faces arrive at the Etihad. It is clear to see they have conquered domestic matters but success in Europe still eludes them.
That is something that is going to have to wait for at least another 12 months but they will be able to show just how dominant they have been this season with a win at St Mary’s. It might not be the result that Southampton are looking for but at the same time there healthy goal difference will be enough to keep them top flight.