Armstrong: Win a massive boost
Match-winner Adam Armstrong believes Southampton’s Emirates FA Cup win over Crystal Palace will provide a ‘massive boost’, having ended a run of three straight defeats.
Falling behind to Odsonne Édouard’s early opener, a James Ward-Prowse free-kick levelled the score before the break, teeing up Armstrong to net the winner with a little over 20 minutes remaining.
Dispatching last season’s semi-finalists, Nathan Jones’s side will advance to the fourth round, with Saints boosted by a return to winning ways.
“It’s been a while,” Armstrong said. “The lads have worked hard all week to bounce back and we knew we had to get a win.
“I know it’s in the cup, but every win is good, especially in the cup. For me, watching it growing up as a kid and always wanting to play in the competition, to get through to the next round is excellent.
“We had to show in spells that we can play a bit and to get the win coming from behind is always good and gives the guys a massive boost.
“We’ll take it a step at a time. We knew we had to come here today and get a win to give the lads and the fans a boost.
“It’s something we’ve been working on and to get it today is excellent and now we’ve got to move on and keep focusing on every game.”
Rewarded for his persistence by charging down Palace keeper Vicente Guaita to roll the ball into an empty net for the winner, Armstrong now hopes to continue contributing in front of goal.
“It’s been a while – my last goal was Chelsea [in August] but I’ve got to work hard now and keep going and get some goals and assists.
“I’ve been doing it all my career, chasing the keeper down, but getting one today is about time and to get it in the back of the net is a lovely feeling.”
