Watford 2-1 Southampton
By Kadeem Simmonds
At Vicarage Road

SOUTHAMPTON manager Tonda Eckert believes his players are “very united as a group” following the 2-1 defeat away to Watford, as they attempt to get over last season’s banishment from the Championship play-off final.

First-half goals from Iker Bravo and Amin Nabizada were enough for the home side to start the Championship season claiming all three points, Cyle Larin’s second-half consolation for the Saints was not enough to mount a comeback.

The match was Southampton’s first since they were expelled from the Wembley final by the Football Association (FA) at the end of last season for spying on three teams, including semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.

Speaking after the final whistle, Eckert said the punishment has brought the squad together — the manager could still be hit with a suspension after being charged with misconduct by the FA.

“It is always easier to say that after you win a game but the boys are as close as they have ever been,” he claimed. “They are very united as a group.”

Prior to kick off, Southampton fans were in full voice chanting “f*** the EFL” and “we are Southampton, we’ll spy where we want.” However, that rallying cry from the away end at Vicarage Road was not enough to carry Southampton over the finish line and it is clear the punishment is one that will not be forgotten by the club.

Neither will the manner in which they conceded the opening goal of the game. Despite dominating the opening 12 minutes, a Watford punt up field was only half-cleared by Southampton captain Jack Stephens.

Bravo pounced, latching on to the loose ball and finished expertly over goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia despite having four Saints defenders in the box around him.

The goal settled the home side, who then took the game by the scruff of its neck and they came close to doubling their lead through Othmane Maamma — his shot saved by Ravaglia at his near post.

That spell continued as Nabizada made it 2-0 29 minutes into the game. The right winger picked up an errant pass from Southampton just inside his own half and drove forward until he found his way into the opposition box.

What looked to be a heavy touch ended up being perfect for the 19-year-old Afghanistan international who saw his right-footed shot end up in the same corner as Bravo’s opener.

Ten minutes after the break, Cyle Larin pulled a goal back for the visitors. Having been played through on the edge of the box by Cameron Bragg, Larin poked past Daniel Peretz.

Minutes later, Larin nearly grabbed his and Southampton’s second but his effort was pushed round the post by Peretz as the Saints looked capitalise on their positive start of the second half.

Tempers flared with 15 minutes remaining between Maamma and Flynn Downs, with both players squaring up to each other and coming head to head but referee Matthew Donohue deemed the clash was only worthy of a yellow for each.

And in second-half added time, Southampton fans thought their side had nicked a point when the ball fell to Taylor Harwood-Bellis in the box but he dragged his left-footed effort wide from 16 yards out when it looked to everyone else in the stadium he would find the back of the net.