Burnley move into top six with victory over lacklustre Southampton

Sam Vokes scored a late winner as Burnley moved into the top six of the Premier League with a narrow victory over Southampton at St Mary’s.

The Burnley forward came off the bench to score a brilliant header from Johann Berg Gudmundsson's looping cross on 81 minutes.

The defeat heaps pressure on Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino whose lack of attacking intent was highlighted once again. Southampton have scored only nine goals in their opening 11 league games and the Argentine’s decision to persist with a rigid 4-2-3-1 formation will raise further question marks on his future.

Chances were few and far between in a mundane first half. Pellegrino’s side dominated possession but failed to penetrate Burnley’s resolute defence. Wide-man Nathan Redmond came closest to open the scoring when he forced Nick Pope into a good save at his near post.

Despite his side’s struggles in front of goal, Pellegrino refused to adjust his inflexible system even after the restart. Instead, Sean Dyche took the initiative as he introduced Vokes and Ashley Barnes, subsequently changing to a more adventurous 4-4-2.

Burnley’s bravery was rewarded as Vokes grabbed a late match winner and there was no time for Southampton to find a way back into the game.

The win moves Burnley ahead of Liverpool who travelled to West Ham in Saturday’s late kick-off, while the Saints drop to 13th.

Claude Puel’s conservative approach did not satisfy the Southampton board, so why did they hire a manager even less keen on attacking football? At home to Burnley, the decision to play one up front is simply baffling. As if that wasn’t peculiar enough, Pellegrino left it until the 75th minute before bringing on his second striker, and it wasn’t until the 89th minute when the club’s best crosser of the ball – James Ward-Prowse - was introduced. Sooner rather than later, Southampton are going to run out of patience with their current manager.

Sean Dyche’s side is built on the strength of their defence and Ben Mee is probably their most outstanding player at the back. The 28-year-old formed a formidable partnership with Michael Keane last season, and he is proving to be just as effective alongside James Tarkowski.

Southampton: Forster 5; Cédric 5, van Dijk 6, Yoshida 6, Bertrand 6; Davis 7, Romeu 5; Redmond 7, Tadić 6, Boufal 6; Gabbiadini 5. Subs: Long 5, Austin 5, Ward-Prowse N/A.

Burnley: Pope 7, Lowton 6, Tarkowski 7, Mee 8, Ward 7, Cork 7, Hendrick 6, Defour 5, Brady 5, Gudmundsson 7, Wood 5. Subs: Vokes7, Barnes 6.

35’ - CLOSE! Burnley fail to clear their lines from Redmond's cross and the ball sits up nicely for Boufal to try a half-volley from inside the box but his effort is well saved by Pope!

42’ - GOOD SAVE! Much better from Southampton: Tadic releases Redmond on the left channel, the winger cuts inside and fires a low shot at the bottom corner, forcing Pope into a really smart stop at his near post.

56’ - CHANCE! Pope drops Davis' corner delivery. The ball is set up for Yoshida to have a shot from the edge but Pope makes amends as he produces a fine save as he tips the goal-bound shot over the bar!.

81’ - GOAL! BURNLEY ARE AHEAD; SOUTHAMPTON ARE STUNNED! The substitute Vokes scores with a lovely header from Gudmundsson's looping cross from the right channel. It is the first time he has scored since the opening day of the season!