Crystal Palace equalized in the 92nd minute at Southampton on Wednesday as they grabbed a point in 1-1 draw.
Ivan Juric was agonizingly close to his first home win in the Premier League as Southampton manager.
Saints were excellent early on and Paul Onuachu put them 1-0 up but Matheus Franca jumped off the bench and equalized in the 92nd minute to make it 1-1.
With the point Palace move on to 40 for the season, while Southampton move on to 10 and are one point away from Derby’s worst-ever points tally of 11 in a single Premier League season.
Saints better but mental scars run deep
In the first half Southampton were excellent. Full of energy and they deserved their 1-0 lead. In the second half they didn’t quite know what to do to close things out. Simply because they hadn’t been in this position much this season as they chased just their third win in 30 games. It always felt like hanging on to a 1-0 lead was too much to ask and they simply ran out of steam with starters going down with cramp and the subs who came on totally lost the shape and any kind of control on the game. Palace just about deserved to grab an equalizer and although Saints are inching towards not becoming the worst team in Premier League history (they are one point short of equalling Derby’s lowest-ever points tally of 11 with eight games to go), this game highlighted why their relegation is soon to be confirmed. They have zero confidence in what they’re doing and there is no belief they can close out games even when they go ahead. If Ivan Juric does remain in charge next season in the Championship there is an almighty rebuild needed to get them pushing for promotion. They will probably beat Derby’s record, just, but it won’t be by much. Saints’ players truly do not believe they belong in the top-flight.
Southampton vs Crystal Palace ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Saints head to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, while Palace host Brighton on Saturday in a big rivalry game.
Southampton vs Crystal Palace score: 1-1
Onuachu 20'; Franca 92'
Southampton vs Crystal Palace live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
France equalizes in stoppage time — Southampton 1-1 Crystal Palace
They’ve done it in the 92nd minute. Sub Franca heads home at the near post as Saints fail to clear a long throw and that is his first Premier League goal. Disappointment at St Mary’s and Ramsdale won’t want to see that one back. Can Palace now find a winner with six minutes of stoppage time to go? Probably...
Triple sub for Palace
Kamada, Chilwell and Nketiah are on. Something had to change as Saints were almost in but Downes had his cross blocked with Onuachu lurking.
Eze should make it 1-1
Palace had a big chance at the start of the second half. Eze is played in and is open. He beats Ramsdale but puts it wide. He can’t believe it!
Half time: Southampton 1-0 Crystal Palace
Great start from Saints and Onuachu deservedly put them ahead. Solid since then for the hosts and Palace look frustrated. There is definitely a handover from their FA Cup quarterfinal win at the weekend. Glasner doesn’t look happy on the sidelines.
Good save from Ramsdale
That is a great stop from the Southampton goalkeeper. Ramsdale gets down low to stop it to his left as Mateta thought he had scored. Palace are well on top now. Saints’ early energy had dipped.
Onuachu heads home! — Southampton 1-0 Crystal Palace
Fernandes whips in a sumptuous cross and Onuachu powers a head on goal and Henderson can’t get enough on it to keep it out. Saints celebrate wildly and Onuachu is now their leading scorer with four Premier League goals this season. Saints aim to get to 12 points (and surpass Derby’s record low of 11 points) is looking a bit closer. For now. Still a long way to go in this game...
Fernandes sees his shot deflect over
Saints have started really well! Walker-Peters and Ugochukwu lead a break and the ball falls to Mateus Fernandes. His shot is going in but it deflects over the bar and out for a corner which comes to nothing.
Southampton lineup
Ramsdale; Stephens, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis; Walker-Peters, Downes, Ugochukwu, Manning; Fernandes, Sulemana; Onuachu
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson; Clyne, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta
Southampton team news, focus
OUT: Will Smallbone (groin), James Bree (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Ross Stewart (fitness), Juan Larios (fitness)
Crystal Palace team news, focus
OUT: Cheick Doucoure (knee), Chadi Riad (knee), Joel Ward (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Will Hughes (illness)
Southampton vs Crystal Palace prediction
Saints will be fresher and at home but Palace have decent depth in attack and that may be all they need to send Southampton to another defeat and nearer their likely place in the Championship. Southampton 1-3 Crystal Palace.
Southampton vs Crystal Palace preview
Saints’ nine points are a whopping 20 back of 17th-place Wolves with just 27 points available the rest of the way beginning with this visit from the Eagles.
Palace is flying, too, winners of three-straight in the Premier League and fresh off winning 3-0 at Fulham to seal a trip to Wembley Stadium for an FA Cup semifinal meeting with Aston Villa.
That may not be Palace’s only route to Europe if they stay hot, too. Oliver Glasner’s men know it’s a long shot, but their 39 points have them in 12th place and eight points off seventh with nine matches to go this season.
How to watch Southampton vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:45pm ET Wednesday
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium — Southampton
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
