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Friday May 10, 2024

Austin leveller rescues Saints

By AFP
December 04, 2017
BOURNEMOUTH, United Kingdom: In-form Charlie Austin rescued Southampton with a second half equaliser in a 1-1 draw at south-coast rivals Bournemouth on Sunday.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s side trailed to Ryan Fraser’s goal late in the first half, but Austin nabbed an important point with his third goal in as many games.The result means Bournemouth climb to 14th in the table, five points above the relegation zone, while Southampton move up to 11th.
Striker Austin saved a point for the Saints thanks to an assist from Nathan Redmond just days after the winger was on the receiving end of a bizarre exchange with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola was seen shouting at Redmond after the final whistle of City’s 2-1 win over Southampton on Wednesday, but the Spaniard and the Saints winger both said the heated exchange was actually complimentary. Redmond might still have been keen to prove a point, particularly after Pellegrino left him out of the starting line-up at Dean Court. Austin’s goal came in only his second Premier League start this season, giving Saints encouragement that he can be the solution to their scoring problems.Virgil van Dijk had an early sight of goal but headed wide before Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster made an excellent reaction save at the other end to deny Jermain Defoe.