Monday Briefing: February 22nd

Southampton ended a six-game losing run in the Premier League as they produced an impressive effort to earn a hard-fought point at home to Chelsea.

Facing an in-form side that had won five straight since the appointment of new boss Thomas Tuchel, Saints took a first-half lead through Takumi Minamino’s second goal for the club, only for a Mason Mount penalty early in the second half to peg them back.

Nonetheless, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s team did a fine job of limiting the opportunities for Chelsea and, although they too found it hard to create chances of their own, they were good value for a point.

Saints are back on the road for the first of four consecutive away games, when they face Leeds United on Tuesday.

It will be the first league meeting between the clubs since a Kelvin Davis-inspired 1-0 win for Saints at Elland Road in the 2011/12 Championship promotion-winning season.

Kick-off at Elland Road is 6pm GMT, with the match to be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Two points currently separate the sides in the Premier League table.

Kazeem Olaigbe’s solitary goal ensured Southampton's B team of three points at Snows Stadium on Sunday.

Olaigbe, who had a host of chances during the first half, gave Saints the lead with his first of the second; slotting home from close range on 48 minutes.

It was then about consolidating their lead, which the hosts did superbly and made it just one defeat in the last four.

Southampton’s youngsters suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Leicester City in the Under-18s Premier League.

Oli Ewing’s solitary strike on 22 minutes was enough to seal all three points for the hosts, despite Southampton creating several chances to seal a point late on.

The brisk conditions at Leicester’s new training facility certainly didn’t impact the competitiveness of the game, with both teams battling hard from the first whistle to the last.

UEFA yesterday unveiled a brand-new identity for UEFA Women's EURO 2022, marking 500 days until the start of the tournament, for which Southampton is a host city.

Originally scheduled for 2021, the tournament was, like UEFA EURO 2020, postponed by a year. This guarantees increased exposure for women's football in a summer without other major football events.

As well as the new logo, extensive coverage of all 31 matches at UEFA Women's EURO 2022 will feature on free-to-air television, radio and online as 16 nations compete to be crowned European champions.

The Premier League have released an updated fixture schedule following a number of broadcast selections for the month of March.

Southampton's Premier League meeting with Sheffield United will be played on the date originally specified (Saturday 6th March, 3pm GMT), but is now set to be screened live by Sky Sports.

Saints' trip to Etihad Stadium, which was due to take place in late April, has received a new date following Manchester City's progression in the EFL Cup, and has moved to Wednesday 10th March, 6pm GMT, live on Sky Sports.

A date and time has been set for Southampton's Emirates FA Cup quarter-final tie with Championship side AFC Bournemouth next month, which will be broadcast live by BT Sport.

Having booked a place in the final eight with a 2-0 success over Wolves, Saints now face the Cherries at Vitality Stadium on Saturday 20th March, 12:15pm GMT, with a semi-final spot up for grabs.

Saints' originally scheduled Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, which was due to take place on that same day, will be moved to another date.

Make sure to get your tickets for an evening of entertainment from the comfort of your sofa as Saints Foundation brings you All In This Together on Thursday 4th March.

Host Kenzie Benali will be joined by Saints legends past and present – Matt Le Tissier, Wayne Bridge, Franny Benali, Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse – for interviews, challenges and incredible Saints prizes to be won on the night!

Take part in our silent auction to bid on some incredible items, with all the proceeds going towards the amazing work Saints Foundation does in the local community – make sure you get your tickets now so you can take part.

Southampton Football Club has launched its new app, giving fans the chance to get closer to the action.

Fans can get everything they need to know in the palm of their hand – the latest team news from Ralph Hasenhüttl’s press conferences, full matchday coverage and app-exclusive interviews featuring Saints players past and present, kicking off with Marian Pahars.

Explore the full range of interactive features, including an incredible giveaway to celebrate the launch of the app, courtesy of Virgin Media!

Marieanne Spacey-Cale has hailed further progression for the Southampton FC Women’s programme, after sports scientist Dr Laura Bowen joined the set-up from the men’s first-team.

Following five seasons as part of a dedicated group of sports scientists within the men’s backroom staff, Bowen has now moved to become lead sports scientist with the Women’s team, bringing significant expertise with her.

Spacey-Cale praised the influence she has had already and said the addition further underlines the direction the programme is moving in.