Saints fight back for a point

premier-league St Mary's Stadium | Sat 13 Aug 3PM | Attendance: 30,815
Match Report post Highlights

SOU vs LEE
Match Centre

SOU vs LEE As It Happened

Key moments so far

  • Saints come from two goals down to level it up
  • Joe Aribo and Kyle Walker-Peters on target for Saints
  • Rodrigo nets a brace for the visitors
  • Deadlock at the break

FULL TIME: Saints 2-2 Leeds

Catch your breath, Saints fans! After a slow first half the game burst to life after the break. Rodrigo fired the visitors into a two-goal lead by the hour-mark, but the hosts weren't to be beaten. Joe Aribo, introduced from the bench, reduced the arrears with 20 minutes remaining, with Kyle Walker-Peters earning Ralph Hasenhüttl's side a share of the spoils, moving Saints off the mark in 2022/23.

16.58
90+4’

Rodrigo tests Bazunu

Chasing a hat-trick Rodrigo fires goalward from an acute angle, but Bazunu parries the strike away.

90’

Southampton substitution: Jack Stephens replaces Moussa Djenepo

A late switch for the hosts. 

90’

SIX minutes of additional time

Come on, Saints!

89’

Mara almost wins it! 😱

The Frenchman works a yard of space on the edge of the box and unleashes a thunderbolt that Meslier just about parries away. 

KWP 😍

87’

Leeds United substitution: Adam Forshaw replaces Marc Roca

A fourth substitution for Leeds.

83’

Leeds United substitution: Luis Sinisterra replaces Daniel James

A further switch for Leeds.

83’

Leeds United substitution: Mateusz Klich replaces Jack Harrison

A change for the visitors. 

GOALSCORER 2 Kyle Walker-Peters

WE'RE LEVEL!!!!

We're back on level terms! Mara collects the ball 20 yards from goal and threads through a stunning pass for Walker-Peters who, having taken a touch, blasts beyond Meslier into the far corner! COME ON!

80’

GOOOAL!!!

Kyle Walker-Peters (80’) | 2 2

77’

Yellow Card for Mohammed Salisu (Southampton)

The defender goes into the book for a foul on Dan James.

77’

Piling on the pressure

Saints have been transformed by the goal, with Leeds now unable to get out of their own half. 

Photo by Matt Watson

Impact 💥

Joe Aribo celebrates netting on his home debut. 

GOALSCORER 7 Joe Aribo

ONE BACK 👊

Get in! Adam Armstrong breaks clear down the left and fires a ball across the box to Aribo, who dances his way around Meslier and blasts into the back of the net. GAME ON!

71’

GOOOAL!!!

Joe Aribo (71’) | 1 2

70’

A change in shape for Saints

In a bid to get back into proceedings, Ralph Hasenhüttl switches to 4-2-2-2. Mara and Adams up front are supported by Adam Armstrong and Joe Aribo.

69’

Southampton substitution: Sékou Mara replaces Jan Bednarek

It's a debut for Sékou Mara, who replaces Jan Bednarek.

66’

A half-chance for Aribo

Djenepo's cross from the left arrives at the feet of Aribo in the box, but his shot from six yards is blocked by Llorente and hacked clear.

61’

Southampton substitution: Adam Armstrong replaces Mohamed Elyounoussi

A double change for Saints.

61’

Southampton substitution: Joe Aribo replaces Stuart Armstrong

Rodrigo adds a second

Leeds double their lead from a corner. Aaronson's delivery is headed goalwards by Struijk, with Rodrigo adding the finishing touch virtually on the line.

60’

GOAL

Rodrigo Moreno (60’) | 0 2

57’

Rodrigo goes close again

The same combination almost pays off for Leeds. Harrison's corner finds Rodrigo at the near post, but his flicked header lands on the roof of the net.

53’

A stoppage while Adams receives treatment

Tyler Adams requires treatment after being caught by Djenepo, forcing a stoppage in play.

Rodrigo breaks the deadlock

Leeds take the lead, as Harrison's cross from the left is expertly flicked past Bazunu by Rodrigo at the near post. 

46’

GOAL

Rodrigo Moreno (46’) | 0 1

45’

Play resumes!

We're back under way for the second half.

Photo by Matt Watson

HALF TIME: Saints 0-0 Leeds

It's goalless at the halfway stage, with the scoreline reflecting an opening 45 minutes restricted in terms of chances. Gavin Bazunu made a fine save to deny Dan James while at the other end Armel Bella-Kotchap flashed a long-range effort just wide, but that's as good as it's got in the first half.  

45’

Yellow Card for Rasmus Kristensen (Leeds United)

A second yellow for the visitors, as the full-back cynically fouls Moussa Djenepo.

42’

Yellow Card for Jack Harrison (Leeds United)

A booking for the Leeds attacker, who catches Bella-Kotchap late in a challenge. 

35’

Kristensen misses a sitter! 

Rodrigo flicks on a cross that falls perfectly for Kristensen at the back post, less than six yards out, but somehow his header falls into the hands of Bazunu and not the back of the net!

34’

What a save, Bazunu! 👏

Dan James races into the box and pulls the trigger from the left-hand side of the box, but Bazunu gets a strong left-hand to the effort and pushes it around the post for a corner.

Photo by Matt Watson

ABK goes close!

What a debut moment this would have been! Bella-Kotchap's long-range strike flashed just wide of the top corner.

27’

Leeds United substitution: Daniel James replaces Patrick Bamford

A forced change the visitors, as Bamford picks up an injury.

27’

Almost a stunner from Armel! 😱

What a debut goal that almost was! Bella-Kotchap wins the ball on the halfway line and takes off into the Leeds half. With options limited, the defender goes for goal from 25-yards and his rasping strike isn't too far wide!

25’

Back under way!

And we're off again. It's still a cagey affair, this one. 

24’

Play stops for a drinks break 💦

Play comes to a halt to allow for both sets of players to rehydrate. It's a scorcher at St Mary's!

Photo by Chris Moorhouse

A tight call 🤔

It's the talking point of the half so far. Llorente's last-man challenge on Armstrong that was cleared by VAR. 

17’

Bamford flicks wide

Rodrigo gets to the byline and fires a low ball into Bamford at the near post, but the striker's first-time flick is off target.

16’

Llorente escapes punishment

A nervy moment for the Leeds defender, but a VAR check clears the Spaniard of committing a foul and play resumes. 

15’

Armstrong brought down as he threatens to race clear!

Elyounoussi plays a perfect through ball that sets Armstrong and Llorente into a foot race, with the Saints man brought down by Llorente's challenge. We'll have a VAR check to see whether the ball was won...

12’

Bednarek hacks clear

Rodrigo feeds the ball into the feet of Bamford in the six-yard box, but Bednarek gets back to make a vital block and then clear the danger.

11’

Bamford fires at goal

The Leeds striker tries his luck from the edge of the box, but having fouled Armel Bella-Kotchap in the build up, it wouldn't have counted.

9’

A scrappy start

Both sides are still searching for some rhythm here at St Mary's, with the opening 10 minutes producing little in an attacking sense. 

Photo by Matt Watson

The Saints 😇

2’

An early Ward-Prowse set-piece

A free-kick midway inside the Leeds half gives the Saints skipper a chance to swing in a cross unopposed, but it sails into the hands of Illan Meslier. 

0’

Here we GO! 👊

We're up and running at St Mary's for the first time in 2022/23. COYR! 

🎶 Oh when the Saints... 🎶

Our anthem echoes around St Mary's - it's good to be back!

14.56

Welcome back, Saints fans 👋

It's good to see you again!

14.45
Photo by Matt Watson

Warm ups under way 🔋

We're counting down to kick off at St Mary's!

14.44

No place like home 🏡

The scene is set for the first home game of the season.

14.08

Leeds line-up confirmed:

Starting XI: Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Llorente, Struijk; Adams, Roca, Rodrigo; Harrison, Aaronson, Bamford. 
Subs: Klaessen, Forshaw, Summerville, James, Sinisterra, Hjelde, Drameh, Greenwood, Klich. 

14.05

😇 SAINTS TEAM NEWS

Starting XI: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Bella-Kotchap, Bednarek, Salisu, Djenepo, Lavia, Ward-Prowse (C), Elyounoussi, S.Armstrong, Adams.

SUBS: McCarthy, Valery, Stephens, Lyanco, Diallo, Romeu, Aribo, Mara, A.Armstrong.

14.00

Team news is approaching...

What are you changing from our last outing?

13.47

In the building 🏠

13.42

Catch up with Romain 🇫🇷

We spoke with Romain Perraud this week after a year on the south coast.

12.39
VOTE NOW
Prediction time... 

Prediction time... 

The results so far:

  • Saints win by two or more
    24%
  • Saints win
    36%
  • Draw
    8%
  • Leeds win
    24%
  • Leeds win by two or more
    8%

🎙 Take your seat for the press conference...

Listen to the thoughts of the boss ahead of this afternoon's return to St Mary's.

09.41

We expect a very intense game with high temperatures in the ground, so we have to be prepared for a tough one. I think we are."

ralph Hasenhüttl
Southampton FC Manager
09.40

BACK in SO14 😍

Premier League football is back at St Mary's as Southampton host Leeds United at 3pm (BST). Ralph Hasenhüttl will be hoping home advantage sees them pick up their first points of the new season, whilst Jesse Marsch's side are seeking more of the same after opening day victory against Wolves. 

09.39

SOU vs LEE Line Ups

Southampton

31
Gavin Bazunu (GK)
22
Mohammed Salisu yellow card
37
Armel Bella-Kotchap
35
Jan Bednarek
replace Sékou Mara (70′)
19
Moussa Djenepo
replace Jack Stephens (91′)
45
Roméo Lavia
8
James Ward-Prowse (C)
2
Kyle Walker-Peters goal
10
Che Adams
17
Stuart Armstrong
replace Joe Aribo (62′) goal
24
Mohamed Elyounoussi
replace Adam Armstrong (61′)
7
Joe Aribo
4
Lyanco
43
Yan Valery
27
Ibrahima Diallo
1
Alex McCarthy
6
Oriol Romeu
18
Sékou Mara
5
Jack Stephens
9
Adam Armstrong

Leeds United

1
Illan Meslier (GK)
21
Pascal Struijk
25
Rasmus Kristensen yellow card
14
Diego Llorente
5
Robin Koch
8
Marc Roca
replace Adam Forshaw (88′)
7
Brenden Aaronson yellow card
19
Rodrigo goal goal
12
Tyler Adams
11
Jack Harrison yellow card
replace Mateusz Klich (84′)
9
Patrick Bamford (C)
replace Daniel James (28′) replace Luis Sinisterra (84′)
13
Kristoffer Klaesson
23
Luis Sinisterra
42
Sam Greenwood
43
Mateusz Klich
37
Cody Drameh
4
Adam Forshaw
10
Crysencio Summerville
33
Leo Hjelde
20
Daniel James

SOU vs LEE Match Stats

Southampton

Head to Head Stats

Leeds United
  • Possession (%)
    43
    comparison angle
    57
  • Shots
    14
    comparison angle
    13
  • Shots on target
    4
    comparison angle
    5
  • Corners
    2
    comparison angle
    5
  • Passes Complete
    232
    comparison angle
    336

Top Saints Player Stats

shots on target
Goals
1
Kyle Walker-Peters
Kyle Walker-Peters
shots on target
Shots On Target
2
Joe Aribo
Joe Aribo
chances created
Chances Created
2
Moussa Djenepo
Moussa Djenepo
passes completed
Passes Completed
42
Mohammed Salisu
Mohammed Salisu
tackles
Tackles
4
Mohammed Salisu
Mohammed Salisu
clearances
Clearances
4
Mohammed Salisu
Mohammed Salisu
saves
Saves
3
Gavin Bazunu
Gavin Bazunu