SOU vs WAT
Match Centre

we're upset, of course, because i feel like we dropped two points - especially with the wrong decision from the referee. but i think we played much better today. we showed great character, passion and desire, with everyone fighting a lot. unfortunately, we couldn't get the three points.

maya yoshida

southampton defender

Our report from St Mary's 📝

For a more detailed summary of today's game, check out our match report on a day when Saints were pegged back in the closing stages, having to settle for a share of the spoils at St Mary's.

FULL TIME: Southampton 1-1 Watford

It's all over at St Mary's, where Saints are forced to settle for another draw after Jose Holebas's deflected shot beats Alex McCarthy eight minutes from time. Mark Hughes's men lead for over an hour through Manolo Gabbiadini's first-half opener, but Charlie Austin's strike to make it 2-0 is controversially ruled out, and Saints are stung by the Hornets late on.

4️⃣ added minutes...

It's Watford who have a corner as stoppage time begins.

Final change for Saints...

It's Mark Hughes's third and final substitution, as 18-year-old striker Obafemi comes on for Redmond. Can he make himself a Saints hero?

Yellow Card for Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Southampton)

The Dane is the latest player to be carded, after impeding Success.

Yoshida's header deflects wide!

Good pressure from Saints, as Gabbiadini stands up a great cross and Yoshida climbs well, but his header is deflected behind for a corner, which Watford clear.

Southampton substitution: James Ward-Prowse replaces Stuart Armstrong

Armstrong's performance on only his second Premier League start earns applause from the home fans, as Ward-Prowse takes his place in midfield.

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Austin scores... but it's chalked off! 🤷‍♂️

St Mary's was overjoyed as Austin's deflected strike squeezed into the bottom corner, but, for reasons unknown, the goal has been ruled out! It remains 1-0...

Yellow Card for Cédric (Southampton)

Cédric goes into the book for a lunging tackle on the halfway line.

So close from Gabbiadini!

Full of confidence having opened the scoring in the first half, Gabbiadini tries his luck with a curling shot from 25 yards that is only a whisker wide of Foster's far post with the keeper unmoved.

Back up and running 👊

The second half is under way... keep going, Saints!

🙏

Saints' players observe a period of silence before kick-off, as the club paid its respects to the fallen.

HALF TIME: Southampton 1-0 Watford

Saints lead at the interval through Manolo Gabbiadini's first goal of the season, after the striker was quickest to react to some good work from Danny Ings to break the deadlock. Saints have since lost Ings to injury, but are good value for the lead despite Watford posing a threat on the counter-attack.

Southampton substitution: Charlie Austin replaces Danny Ings

Bad news for Saints, as Ings is forced to come off after receiving treatment. It's a like for like change as Austin takes his place up front.

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Yellow Card for Ryan Bertrand (Southampton)

The first booking of the game goes to the Saints skipper for illegally halting a Watford counter-attack.

Armstrong denied by Foster!

An even better opportunity for Saints! Bertrand gets into a crossing position down the left and picks out Armstrong with a low delivery, but Armstrong's first-time shot is blocked by the legs of Foster.

So close to a second!

After patient play down the Saints left, Lemina crosses to Yoshida, whose header leaves Foster rooted to the spot but drops agonisingly wide of goal.

Just too high for Redmond 😫

There's more confidence about Saints now, as Cédric gets away down the left, cuts back and crosses left footed, but it's just too high for the onrushing Redmond, who was arriving at the far post with real purpose.

GOALSCORER 20 Manolo Gabbiadini

YESSSS GABBI!!!

Saints are up and running! Watford failed to clear a corner after Foster had denied Hoedt from the previous delivery. Ings was alive in the box to poke it through to Gabbiadini, who scores his first goal of the season with a cool finish into the bottom corner! 😇

Saints pressing

Armstrong combines with Bertrand down the left, playing a neat one-two to find space for a cross, but it's deflected behind for a corner before it can reach the lurking Ings.

Gabbiadini goes close!

Better from Saints, who commit good numbers forward. Gabbiadini has the ball in the inside right position, takes a touch out of his feet and tries to bend one inside the far corner from 20 yards, but just misses the target.

Talking tactics 🧐

Saints have started this game in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Højbjerg and Lemina as the two midfield players, and Armstrong as a number ten behind Ings. Redmond is on the left and Gabbiadini will cut inside from his starting position on the right. Watford, by contrast, are more of an orthodox 4-4-2, but will look to outnumber Saints in central areas with Pereyra and Hughes tucking infield from wide.

Your key man today... 🇩🇰

It was a close run thing, but Pierre-Emile Højbjerg just edged out Danny Ings to win today's key player poll! Thank you to all those who voted!

We're under way!

After an impeccably observed silence, it's on with the action. Come on you Saints! 😇

We will remember them...

Saints, in red and white, and Watford, all in green, have emerged from the tunnel, and will shortly observe a period of silence in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

1️⃣0️⃣ minutes until kick-off! ⏳

We're inching closer to kick-off here at St Mary's, where the rain is pouring! It's a very wet afternoon - who will play the conditions best? ☔️

And the winner of our last poll was...

Chris Marsden! It was his cross that set up Brett Ormerod to open the scoring as Saints ran out 2-1 winners over today's opponents at Villa Park back in 2003, securing a place in the club's first FA Cup final since 1976! Well done to the 58% of you who answered correctly 😎

📸 The players are ready!

Our club photographer was on hand to capture the Saints players arriving at St Mary's... Looking focused 😤

3️⃣ changes for Saints 👊

Mark Hughes makes three alterations to his side, including a first Premier League start since the opening day of the season for Stuart Armstrong. The Scot replaces James Ward-Prowse, while Jack Stephens and Shane Long also drop out as Maya Yoshida and Manolo Gabbiadini return to the starting line-up.

Saints team confirmed! 😇

Starting XI: McCarthy, Cédric, Yoshida, Hoedt, Bertrand, Armstrong, Højbjerg, Lemina, Redmond, Gabbiadini, Ings.

we keep saying that we need to win, but we need to win at home especially, here in front of our fans. they have been fantastic and deserve three points. this is what we really want.

cédric

southampton defender

Stephens to sting the Hornets again?

The answer was this man - Jack Stephens! The defender scored the only goal of the game in the FA Cup fourth round tie at St Mary's in January, prompting a scoring burst, as he struck in three consecutive matches! Well done to the 53% of voters who answered correctly in our poll.

Did you vote in our poll? 🗳

We asked you who scored their first Saints goal against Watford last season. Refresh your memory with this video - did you pick the right man? 

1️⃣ hour until team news! ⏳

We're counting down to kick-off here at St Mary's, where the team line-ups will be announced at 2pm GMT! Who would you like to see given the chance to impress?

Will this man feature again today?

Young striker Michael Obafemi made a late appearance as a substitute at the Etihad Stadium last weekend - the second first-team outing of his fledgling career. After following it up with a first senior call-up to the Republic of Ireland provisional squad, the 18-year-old is on a high, and setting his sights on more game time with Saints over the coming weeks. Check out our interview here.

Young Saints honour the fallen

As part of the club's commitment to remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, members of the Academy have been on an educational visit to find out more about Fred Costello, a former Saint who died during World War I. Fred is one of many ex-Saints to be commemorated with a plaque unveiled at St Mary's today. A period of silence will also be observed before kick-off.

there's been good determination and a little bit of anger, i think, and frustration. if we're strong and play to our capabilities, we'll win.

mark hughes

southampton manager

Hear from the boss!

We caught up with Southampton manager Mark Hughes at Staplewood to gather his thoughts on what Saints need to do to sign off before the international break with a victory.

Where will today's game be won and lost? 🤔

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe explains why three individual battles could hold the key to today's game. Which Saints need to have the biggest impact to earn three points? Check out the latest edition of Tactical Watch.

Like your facts and stats? 🤓

Get the full rundown on today's game with our extensive Match Pack! It has everything from team news and the thoughts of each manager, to recent results between the clubs and all the key statistics.

Matchday at St Mary's 👊

We're back on home territory as Southampton host Watford in the Premier League at St Mary's this afternoon. For Saints, it's an opportunity to bounce back from a really tough day at Manchester City last time out, while Watford are keen to redeem themselves too, having fallen to a surprise defeat to Newcastle United. Stay with us for all the build-up, team news, match updates and live commentary!