Out of the relegation zone (for now)
An heroic performance yesterday from Harry’s boys led to a 3-1 win at Middlesbrough, Southampton’s first away win of the season. Two goals from Peter Crouch (and [two references to him as "the lanky striker" in the BBC News report][1]) and one from Andreas Jakobsson were too much for the Smoggies. After leading 2-0 against them at home and then drawing 2-2, this was a moral, if not actual, double against the Teeside team.
With West Brom recording an improbable 4-1 away win at Charlton, this was a must-win game for the Saints. Thankfully, Crystal Palace (to Chelsea) and Norwich (to Bolton) both lost, meaning that we’re out of the relegation zone (for now).
We’re only three points behind Fulham (though they have a game in hand), four behind Portsmouth and five behind Blackburn, so all the talk of the relegated teams being three from Saints, Palace, West Brom and Norwich now seems a little premature.
Best quote of the weekend (from Radio Five Live’s 606):
“If Harry [Redknapp] had been captain of the Titanic, the iceberg would have sunk”.
[1]: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng)_prem/4343227.stm