James Ward-Prowse free-kick magic earns Southampton point at Leeds - Independent 2/4/22
Leeds 1-1 Southampton: Jack Harrison had given the hosts a first-half lead at Elland Road
Mark Walker
James Ward-Prowse produced more free-kick magic to earn
Southampton a 1-1 draw at Leeds and halt their four-game losing run.
The England midfielder curled home a trademark free-kick
early in the second half after Jack Harrison had given Leeds an interval lead.
Southampton had lost their previous three Premier League
games before a thumping home FA Cup defeat by Manchester City and will be happier
than Leeds with a point.
The home side, chasing a third straight win in their
relegation fight, deserved their half-time advantage, but lost their way after
the break before being roared on by their fans for another grandstand finish.
Leeds, who edged a point further away from the bottom three,
had won their last two games with stoppage-time winners, but it was not to be
against the Saints, who were good value for a share of the spoils.
Leeds made their accustomed breakneck start and only
Mohammed Salisu’s brilliant last-ditch tackle denied striker Dan James a clear
shot on goal.
Diego Llorente headed wide from a corner and Mateusz Klich’s
effort was blocked as Leeds laid siege on Southampton’s goal.
Southampton responded and Mohamed Elyounoussi fired straight
at goalkeeper Illan Meslier and at the other end Fraser Forster did well to
block James’ angled shot after a sweeping Leeds counter-attack.
Leeds fans thought their side had taken a deserved lead when
Harrison turned the ball home after Raphinha’s corner had hit a post in the
20th minute, but referee Anthony Taylor had blown for a push by Rodrigo.
Southampton caused several moments of alarm in the home
defence as Che Adams’ shot was deflected wide before Llorente made a vital
interception inside the area.
But few would argue Leeds did not deserve their 29th-minute
lead.
Raphinha’s superb cross from the by-line was parried by
Forster and Harrison nonchalantly stabbed home his sixth league goal of the
season.
Leeds preserved their half-time lead, but were indebted to
Meslier as his brilliant low save denied Adams before Kyle Walker-Peters fired
inches over the crossbar.
The Saints hauled themselves level through Ward-Prowse’s
brilliant free-kick, the England midfielder curling his 25-yard effort into the
top corner after Luke Ayling’s foul on Walker-Peters.
Leeds had a real fight on their hands now. Armando Broja
fired inches wide as Southampton took control and although Raphinha threatened
with a rising drive, the home side were struggling to stem the tide.
Joe Gelhardt replaced James in the 58th minute and Kalvin
Phillips received a rousing reception when he replaced Klich soon after for his
first appearance in four months.
Leeds began to find their passes again to lift the crowd and
Forster palmed away Stuart Dallas’ volley after some frantic Southampton
defending.
The home fans screamed for a penalty when Raphinha and
Ibrahima Diallo tangled, but Taylor waved away Leeds’ appeals.
It was Southampton’s turn to batten down the hatches as the
game entered the final 10 minutes.
Taylor turned down another penalty appeal when Gelhardt went
tumbling under another timely Diallo challenge, but Leeds failed to work a
clear opening despite their late pressure.
