EPL: Onuachu fires blank as Firpo earns Leeds win over Southampton
New Leeds United manager Javi Gracia’s reign began with a 1-0 Premier League home victory over Paul Onuachu’s bottom club Southampton with Junior Firpo’s goal see the Yorkshire club to snap a 10-game winless run and move out of the relegation zone on Saturday.
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 25, 2023
Leeds jumped to 17th on 22 points after 24 games, a point above the drop zone, following a first league win since before the World Cup break.
The hosts dominated possession in Gracia’s first game since his appointment this week and edged a scrappy first half in which neither side created much of note.
Firpo finally broke the deadlock in front of a raucous Elland Road in the 77th minute, squeezing a tame effort under Gavin Bazunu after being cleverly set up with a flick by Jack Harrison.
BIG WIN. BIG THREE POINTS. pic.twitter.com/67Fod33UgQ
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 25, 2023
Lining up in Leeds 😇
Here’s the #SaintsFC team for this afternoon’s match at Elland Road: pic.twitter.com/cn3QdckDs2
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 25, 2023
Final prep ✅ pic.twitter.com/S1ovwgorjv
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 25, 2023
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Southampton piled on the pressure as they desperately searched for an equaliser, and dead-ball specialist James Ward-Prowse nearly created one as he whipped in a corner in 90th minute, but he was let down by a poor header from teammate Armel Bella-Kotchap.
Southampton, who will have thought their luck was turning after taking three points at Chelsea last week, remain 20th – three points behind second-from-bottom Bournemouth, who host Manchester City later on Saturday.