Aribo, Onuachu score as Southampton secure first EPL away win

Ayomide Akinkuade
3 Min Read

In a thrilling encounter, Nigerian duo Joe Aribo and Paul Onuachu scored crucial goals as Southampton secured their first away win of the season, defeating Ipswich 2-1 at Portman Road on Saturday.

Southampton were under immense pressure to secure a victory, having entered the match on a dismal three-game losing streak. Similarly, Ipswich were reeling from a disastrous run of form, having lost their previous three matches and conceded a staggering 12 goals in the process.

Southampton head coach Ivan Juric opted for a midfield partnership of Joe Aribo and Lesley Ugochukwu, while Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu led the line for the Saints, spearheading their attack.

Southampton burst out of the gates, grabbing an early advantage when a deflected cross from Kyle Walker-Peters found its way to Joe Aribo, who capitalized on the opportunity to score past Arijanet Muric in the 21st minute.

Aribo, Onuachu score as Southampton secure first EPL away win
Joe Aribo

However, Southampton’s inability to hold onto leads continued to plague them, as Ipswich’s Liam Delap struck his ninth goal of the season just ten minutes after Aribo’s opener, restoring parity to the contest and leaving the Saints searching for a way to regain their advantage.

Just as the match seemed destined for a stalemate, Paul Onuachu emerged as the hero for Southampton. Following Kamaldeen Sulemana’s effort, which was parried by goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, Onuachu displayed quick reflexes, pouncing on the rebound and expertly guiding the ball into the net to restore Southampton’s lead in the final minutes of the game.

Following Paul Onuachu’s decisive goal, a staggering eight minutes of stoppage time were added, placing Southampton’s defense under intense pressure.

Given their reputation for being the Premier League’s most vulnerable defensive unit, the Saints’ ability to withstand the pressure and emerge unscathed was a testament to their resilience, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory and claiming all three precious points.

The victory marked only Southampton’s second win of the season, a milestone that propelled them to a total of nine points from 24 games, offering a glimmer of hope in their struggle to climb the table. Ipswich, meanwhile, remain stuck in 19th place, having amassed 16 points from the same number of matches.

Up next, Southampton will shift their focus to the FA Cup, hosting Burnley at home in their next fixture. Meanwhile, Ipswich will embark on a journey to Coventry, determined to rebound from the disappointing loss.


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