Djenepo’s heroics give Southampton a 1-0 win at Sheffield United

(Reuters) – Southampton beat Sheffield United 1-0 at Bramall Lane to claim their second win of the Premier League season after a brilliant second-half individual effort from Moussa Djenepo on Saturday.

In his first league start, the £14 million ($17.51 ​​million) late-season signing scored his second goal of the campaign to give Ralph Hasenhuettl’s side all three points and a third straight win in all competitions .

“It’s important. I think that was the biggest problem last season,” Hasenhuettl said.

“This season is not the case to not give them any chance. They still have chances because it is very difficult in the Premier League not to give them a chance.”

Although there were no goals in the first half, it was not short of action, with both teams coming close to opening the scoring in the 13th minute.

Southampton striker Che Adams went close with a volley that bounced off the far post, setting the hosts up on the counter-attack where Oliver McBurnie released David McGoldrick but his one-on-one chance was saved by goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

Adams had another chance to put the visitors ahead in the 26th minute when he connected well with a cross only to see his header denied by a reflex save from Gunn.

United thought they had the lead early in the second half when McBurnie’s side-footed effort from an Oliver Norwood free-kick hit the back of the net, but VAR overturned the decision after John Egan was found offside in the build-up.

Djenepo then put the visitors in front with a scintillating solo run through the middle, initially refusing to go down when Norwood pulled him in from behind before ducking two defenders to fire a low-angle shot past Dean Henderson.

United’s problems were compounded when substitute Billy Sharp was sent off for a red-card challenge when he caught Stuart Armstrong on the shin.

They almost pulled a point through McGoldrick, who had two chances to equalise, only to see his first effort saved by Gunn, while his second blasted over the bar.

“We were under a bit of pressure, but in the end, after the goal, we were very calm on the ball,” added Hasenhuettl.

“We tried to let them run and that is a step of development that I want to see from my players because we have players who can stay in possession.”

The result moved Ralph Hasenhuettl’s side up to 10th, while United dropped to 13th. Southampton host Bournemouth on Friday, while United travel to Everton next weekend.

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru Editing by Pritha Sarkar)