DANNY INGS followed in the footsteps of Le God to become Southampton’s modern idol.
Only Matt Le Tissier and James Beattie had previously netted 20 Premier League goals in a single season for Saints.
Danny Ings continued his hot streak to earn a point for SouthamptonCredit: AP:Associated Press
But Ings took that tally to three with a typically-cool finish here to chalk off Neal Maupay’s opener.
It frustrated Graham Potter, who played with Le Tissier during his single season with Saints back in 1996, given his side are still not mathematically safe.
But their far superior goal difference to Aston Villa and Bournemouth means they effectively are thanks to this point.
Potter claimed it would be unfair to compare Le Tissier and Ings in his pre-match press conference.
True, Le Tissier’s talent was one-of-a-kind.
But the way Ings has carried Saints at times this season does bear a resemblance.
He was not even Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first-choice striker at the beginning of the season.
Yet his consistent scoring and relentless pressing have turned him into a player that Hasenhuttl admits Saints would not be able to afford if he was on the market today.
The build-up to this game had involved a manager love-in with both bosses falling over themselves to pay tribute to the other.
The pally spirit seemed to extend to the pitch too with some of the defensive gifts the two sides offered each other.
Southampton were far too hospitable for Maupay’s opener – but the way Solly March was rolled by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the opening five minutes was just as generous.
The Dane was in and should have made it count, but struck the ball with the outside of his foot straight at Maty Ryan who made a fine save.
It came to the frustration of Saints’ socially-distanced subs, sitting just in front of the press area and smelling like they had walked off a Paco Rabanne advert.
Hojbjerg was starting despite being the subject of a £25million bid from Everton.
Tottenham are also in the race to sign the ex-Bayern Munich man who is set to be sold this summer after refusing to sign a new contract.
Albion threatened what was to come as Maupay fired over and the in-form Leandro Trossard had Alex McCarthy scrambling with a header.
And on 17 minutes, they had their opener.
Glenn Murray flicked on Tariq Lamptey’s throw-in to Maupay, who somehow had enough room between Saints’ centre-backs to find the near corner with his left foot.
The strike meant Maupay became just the sixth French player to register 10 or more goals in their maiden Premier League season, after Mssrs Lacazette, Martial, Giroud, Henry and Cantona.
Maupay, looking a steal at £16million, celebrated by rubbing his eyes in a cry-baby gesture – possibly in reference to his feud with Arsenal bad-boy Matteo Guendouzi.
Saints were out-of-sorts with even the now ultra-consistent Danny Ings looking unthreatening, though he did have a goal ruled out for offside six minutes before half-time.
Hasenhuttl, looking and sounding ever more agitated in his dugout, knew he had to shake things up.
He sent on Kyle Walker-Peters and Che Adams at the break, moving Hojbjerg from right-back into midfield, and the changes improved his side dramatically.
Young left-back Jake Vokins fizzed a volley just wide of the far post before Ings curled brilliantly against the woodwork.
The rebound fell to Adams who would have scored were it not for Lewis Dunk’s heroics on the line.
Seconds later, the Saints pair combined again as Ings flashed a first-time ball across the six-yard area which agonisingly eluded Adams at the far stick.
The pressure eventually told just before the water break as Nathan Redmond set away Ings, who finished clinically.
Both sides had chances to win it with Yves Bissouma firing wide from close range and Vestergaard having a Vincent Kompany-esque piledriver turned onto the bar.
But ultimately it was a draw which should confirm Brighton’s safety – and ensure Ings’ godlike status.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
