AND FINALLY......PALACE AT ST MARY'S

Last game of the season. Surely, Saints can make sure of the 3 points.....which will ensure we finish above Liverpool, and stand a chance of overtaking West Ham and even Man United (depending on their results)...... can't we?? Or will we mess it up Southampton style??


(Having second thoughts about the title I gave this....as I hope it will not be the final game I discuss on here, I have a hospital scan middle of next week which I hope will not show up anything serious)

Mike best wishes for next week, puts football into perspective. Let's hope we finish with a win, Stoke take points of West Ham and we finish 6th to help put a smile on our faces

Thanks Matty, fingers crossed

Well Mike so far everything has gone well so fingers crossed.

Final game of the season and a great result with 4 more goals, 3 more points and 6th place with a Europa league spot guaranteed.

although Palace played a cple of reserves they did seem to be up for the game and Puncheon in particular was a pain all game long.

Players ratings first

Forster 7 made a couple of important saves, possibly a weak punch for their goal but think he was obstructed
Martina7 not a fan of his but had a decent games.
Fonte 7 another solid capts game
Virgil 7 rarely troubled and could have scored with free kick and a header
Bertrand 7 solid enough and scored with the penalty
Wanyama 7 another decent game solid in midfield setting up a number of attacks
Romaeau 6 did okay first half why subbed
Davis 8 another non stop performance and a goal by being in the right place
Tadic 7 again most of our chances had Tadic involved, if he keeps playing like this then happy for him to stay
Mane 7 kept his cool for the first goal, just buy some new boots as still always falling over
Long 7 had a hand in first goal making life difficult for defenders, first touch not as good as normal and had to move from centre for Pelle

Subs
Pelle 6 got his goal though did look like a push, can't see him being here next season
Ward Prowse 6 thought he would have taken the penalty but plenty of effort.
Austin 6 on at the end for Shane Long but didn't have much to do.

Plenty of chances for saints, Romeau had a decent shot but comfortable save for Speroni, Long had a header first half should have done better, Mane had a couple of chances late on one shot just curled wide and one having done the hard work blasted over when he could have laid off. Goals form a decent cross in on left from Tadic, Long made life difficult, speroni flapped and got blocked by his own player and Mane calmly lofted in. Second goal a good ball from Davis to Martina with a decent cross looked like Pelle had an arm on his defender but headed in. Penalty came from through ball to Mane who was taken out by 2 players, first foul was outside but looked like the second foul was just inside the box. Surprisingly Bertrand took the penalty and although goalie got a hand to it plenty of power to go in. Final goal was again a decent cross from right side, Pelle chested down and Davis who was involved in start of move was free in box and blasted home. Puncheon goal followed a corner and quick free kick when no whistle and blocked on goal line, weak punch and Puncheon did well to fire in. Long and Wanyama should have closed Puncheon down.

Thanks for that Matty, you deserve your holiday from the Reports Desk!

I wondered if the reasoning for the half-time substitution was that RK wanted to give Pelle chance to impress, as he hasn't done too much recently. He then had to find someone to make room for him....and I'd guess on first-half form it would have had to be Romeu or a straight swop for Long.

Now is there any chance our friends down the road could do us a massive favour by getting a shock win tomorrow night so that we can finish 5th???

Matty, another marathon effort comes to a end mate. A very well done to you - enjoy your summer.

Mike, I hope that everything goes well with you and the medical tests. By sheer coincidence, I may have something similar to endure. I will be doing some initial testing later this week, so fingers crossed there as well.

Mike - I was surprised he brought on Pelle for Romeau as messed up the formation but would have been a lot of unhappy fans if he taken of Long, not least the player. Did give him the chance to score so boost any sale plus Koeman had probably worked out that Palace were not great at dealing with the high balls.

Thanks Pete......good luck to you too

Cheers Mike.

I'm relieved to have had my hospital appointment yesterday and been told that there doesn't appear to be anything to worry about!!