Southampton crash out after 1-1 draw with Hapoel Beer Sheva

Southampton crashed out of the Europa League in limp fashion with a dismal 1-1 home draw against Hapoel Beer Sheva who took their place in the last 32 of the competition.

Claude Puel’s side were made to pay for a lack of ambition, turning in a lethargic performance, attempting to see out the goalless draw which would have been enough to secure their passage to the knockout rounds.

Maor Bar Buzaglo gave the Israeli visitors a surprise lead after 78 minutes, finding the bottom corner of Fraser Forster’s net with a cool finish from the edge of the box. That was Hapoel’s first effort on target of the match, but Southampton could hardly complain having shown so little attacking intent themselves.

Virgil Van Dijk scored an equaliser in stoppage time, but a score draw wasn’t enough for Saints as they were knocked out of the Europa League following a disappointing group stage campaign.

Puel started his strongest side, as he was implored to, but throughout the contest it was obvious that the Saints were struggling with a lack of cohesion. Is that a consequence of the squad rotation the Frenchman has implemented as Southampton manager this season? Is that to blame for recent results?

The Dutch defender will be a wanted man in January and this was another performance to highlight Van Dijk as one of the best centre-backs in England. He held together Southampton’s backline for much of the game and was their most dangerous attacker as well, playing as an emergency number nine in the dying moments. Van Dijk is the face of this Saints side.

Southampton - Forster 6, Cedric 7, Yoshida 5, Van Dijk 8, Bertrand 5, Romeu 7, Davis 5, Hjobjerg 5, Sims 7, Redmond 6, Austin 5. Subs - Ward-Prowse 5, Long 6, Tadic 6.

Hapoel Be’er Sheva - Goresh 6, Bitton 6, Vitor 6, Tzedek 6, Korhut 4, Ogu 5, Radi 5, Hoban 5, Buzaglo 7, Nwakaeme 5, Sahar 6. Subs - Lucio 5, Shabtay 4, Ghadir 4.

4’ AUSTIN HEADER! Redmond floated a corner kick delivery to the back post where Austin had leaped higher than any of his markers. But his header is straight at the keeper.

21’ BIG CHANCE FOR HAPOEL! Buzaglo found himself unmarked inside the penalty area, with time to take the shot, but he managed to put it over the bar from eight yards out. Big miss.

28’ JUST TOO STRONG! Redmond delayed and delayed in making the cross into the box, but when he did it was just over the head of Romeu who had made a surge up from midfield.

38’ INJURY WORRY! Austin is down on the ground and is receiving treatment on what appears to be a neck injury. Maybe it's his shoulder? Whatever it is, it looks quite serious.

71’ VAN DIJK COMES CLOSE! The Dutch defender was up from the back for a corner kick, leaping higher than anyone in the box. But he could only glance his header past the far post.

78' GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Hapoel Beer Sheva: That was the danger for Southampton! Buzaglo struck the a shot from the edge of the box, finding the bottom corner of Forster's net.

91’ GOAL! Southampton 1-1 Hapoel Beer Sheva: A glimmer of hope for Southampton? Van Dijk controls a cross in the box and finds a calm finish to equalise for the home side. They need another, though!

92’ THAT WAS THE CHANCE! Yoshida was up from the back to get on the end of a cross, but he sends his header just past the post. I thought that was going to find the net for a moment.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva scored with their first shot on target of the match.

Cedric Soares (10) and Ryan Bertrand (8) both attempted more crosses than the entire Hapoel Be'er Sheva side combined.