Aribo leads Southampton’s comeback with first Premier League goal

By Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor,

Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo got his first Premier League goal against Leeds United to reignite a resurgence that saw the Saints come back from two goals down to tally the scoreline later in the second half.

The Nigeria international, who joined the Saints the summer from Rangers, ensured Southampton secured a point in their second Premier League fixture.

Aribo, a 61-minute substitute for Mohammed Elyounoussi, superbly controlled the ball in the opponent’s 6yards box to fire a powerful strike having earlier displaced Illan Meslier with a clean dribble.

Meanwhile, Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhüttl commended the players for the comeback to save a point at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.

The Austrian gaffer admitted that he was under undue pressure when the Saints were two goals down adding that the substitutions, Joe Aribo and Seköu Mara, made were instrumental to the comeback.

“I’m sweating, not only because of the heat but because of the intensity of the game today,” Hasenhüttl admitted.

“In the end, I think it is a deserved point because we showed we can react. It’s not always easy when you’re two down to turn things around but I think the subs did a very good job today, and we were immediately on them,” he acknowledged.

Hasenhüttl said after the end of the first half, he had to make some changes to ensure the Saints controlled the game which, however, paid off.

“In the second drinks break we had to adjust a little bit, and after these changes, we were in the game,” he said.

“We were speaking last season about how five subs will be a game changer, and especially when they have temperatures like today it’s even more important to bring some fresh players,” Hasenhüttl continued.

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“This is why they are so important to us. I said at the moment that everybody has to do his job, and also the guys who worked until that moment have the responsibility for winning a point today. It feels good, but we have to keep on going.

“We are trusting in ourselves and the way we are fighting, and everyone did a good job today.

“It’s not always possible to come back after conceding two goals, so we have to be very critical because this is not possible all the time.

“It was important, especially after the first game, to come back here and taking a point can be a good first step in the season,” he added.

Southampton’s next game is against Leicester City where Joe Aribo will square up against fellow Super Eagle Kelechi Iheanacho at King Power Stadium on Saturday.

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