Southampton end losing streak with draw at Wolves

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Raul Jimenez scored from the penalty spot to cancel out a second-half goal by Southampton’s Danny Ings in an entertaining 1-1 Premier League draw at Molineux Stadium on Saturday.

In-form striker Ings, who came into the clash having scored four goals in three matches in all competitions, punished Wolves for their poor defending by finding the bottom left corner with a right-footed shot in the 53rd minute.

Southampton’s advantage lasted only eight minutes as Wolves defender Matt Doherty was brought down in the penalty area with the Video Assistant Referee confirming the foul, and Jimenez ended his goal drought with a crisp finish.

Jimenez earlier thought he had scored his first league goal in more than a month when he slotted past goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the 29th minute, but the referee disallowed the strike as the ball had grazed the Mexico international’s arm.

The 28-year-old was unlucky again shortly before the break after finishing off a slick passing move as VAR deemed his team mate Patrick Cutrone to be offside in the build-up to the goal much to the annoyance of the home supporters.

The draw helped Southampton snap a run of three straight defeats while Wolves were denied a third consecutive win. Wolves visit Newcastle United next Sunday while Southampton host Leicester City.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo said his team had struggled after defender Ryan Bennett picked up an injury and was replaced in the 18th minute by Jesus Vallejo.

“I hope it’s nothing serious, we’ll have to see. That injury disrupted our tempo a little bit. We started to rush the game a little. I think we dominated but not in the way that we should have,” Santo said.

“It was a very tough game. It was disputed and there was a lot of fight in the midfield. They were well organised. The game was hard, we made mistakes.

“We know there are things we could have done better. I’m disappointed because we must be solid and today we were not.”

Southampton’s Ings was pleased with his form but said he could do much better to help 17th-placed Southampton climb away from the relegation zone.

“I think I can score more. I had another chance that I should have done better with but I need to keep getting goals and help the team as much as I can to get points,” Ings said.

“In the second half we came out really strong. They got the equaliser and I thought we did really well to hold on to a point… it’s a positive point.” (Reuters/NAN)