Southampton has consolidated their spot in the English Premier League top four with a 1-0 victory away to Manchester United, leaping ahead of their opponents into third place in the process.
Like in many other EPL seasons, a side outside of the traditional big four or five started well, only this time Southampton have managed to continue to their run through the New Year.
The Saints’ first win at Old Trafford in 27 years may finally be the win that has fans looking at them as a genuine top four contender rather than the usual nuisance value.
It’s expected that despite how teams start, the two Manchester sides, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, will all finish within the top six or seven, and then there is the best of the rest.
But 12 wins from 21 games have Southampton sitting a victory, and eight goals on goal difference, ahead of Arsenal. They’re only 10 points off leaders Chelsea.
Although there is next to no chance that the Saints will be able to reel in the leaders, or even defending champions Man City, it’s not beyond comprehension that Southampton could be playing Champions League football next season.
The brilliant season has been built on the back of the Premier League’s stingiest defence, conceding a remarkable 15 goals. To put that into perspective, the Jose Mourinhio led Chelsea have conceded 19 goals.
Ronald Koeman is on the cusp of leading his side to achieving something amazing, especially considering the money being spent on player development and transfer fees at the traditional big clubs.
Graziano Pelle has been the star, netting eight goals and two assists, while Dusan Tadic and James Ward-Prowse have been the stars in midfield. As mentioned however, it has been the defence that has seen the Saints shock the league.
Names like Ryan Bertrand, Jose Fonte, Nathaniel Clyne and Toby Alderweireld are not exactly household names worldwide, but they have more than done the job thus far in what may be the toughest league in the world.
It just goes to prove that clever recruitment can lead to success.
Earlier this year the Saints sold arguably their best players in Luke Shaw (27 million), Adam Lallana (25 million), Dejan Lovren (20 million) and Calum Chambers (16 million) but used the money wisely to re-invest in balancing and strengthening the squad.
They did not make the mistake that others clubs have made and invested in big name players on big money transfers who simply do not live up to their price tags. The aforementioned Tadic (10.9 million) was their biggest buy for season 2014-15, and if anything has exceeded expectations.
Last season the Saints finished eighth, and unless something catastrophic happens either with injury or form, they’re on track to better that this season.
Who knows, they just might hold on to snag a top four spot.
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