Southampton 4-2 Sunderland: Joe Rothwell comes off the bench to seize a double for Saints

Substitute Joe Rothwell scored a late double as Southampton survived a Sunderland fightback to maintain their slim hopes of automated promotion again to the Premier League alive.

Adam Armstrong made it 2-0 in controversial circumstances from the penalty spot. The former Newcastle man slipped as he took his shot and appeared to strike the ball twice however referee Stuart Atwell allowed the objective to face regardless of Sunderland protestations.

Romaine Mundle pulled one again for the away aspect after the break with a deflected shot from the sting of the world and Jobe Bellingham curled home a splendidly hit equaliser however the home aspect stepped again on it and sub Rothwell scored twice in three minutes to safe the factors for Saints.

Defeat for the Black Cats means they’ve misplaced six successive matches within the league for the primary time since March 2006, once they had been relegated from the Premier League.

Southampton are six factors adrift off second-placed Leeds however do have a sport in hand on the in-form Whites.

The home aspect seemed to be cruising to a routine victory with half-hour left earlier than Mundle’s first senior objective gave Sunderland hope and Bellingham then scored the sort of objective his brother Jude could be happy with from 20 yards out.

However, the Saints, who fell to a 5-0 defeat on the Stadium of Light within the reverse fixture in September, fought again to win due to Rothwell’s second double prior to now six video games and second of his profession.

First, the Bournemouth loanee hit a agency shot into the underside nook after Armstrong’s cross fell into his path after which he made the factors secure with a rising end from 10 yards after the identical participant had a shot cleared off the road.

Russell Martin’s males now have simply in need of three weeks off earlier than internet hosting Middlesbrough on 29 March due to Leicester’s progress within the FA Cup and the worldwide break.

Sunderland, who slipped to twelfth after this latest reverse, host lowly QPR subsequent week and may very well be in peril of getting pulled into the survival battle on the backside if they can’t finish their shedding run quickly.

Southampton boss Russell Martin advised BBC Radio Solent:

“I’m annoyed it obtained that shut as a result of we must always have been out of sight at half-time. We created so many possibilities.

“I’m aggravated we conceded two objectives however I stated to the gamers that for those who take a look at the outcomes this weekend we needed to win and we discovered a approach to do this.

“We should not have needed to rating 4 objectives to win immediately nevertheless it’s an enormous win for us and we’ve to maintain profitable.”

On 20 day break arising:

“I’m happy we go into it on the again of a win and scoring 4 objectives and enjoying some good soccer. We have not had an enormous period of time on the coaching pitch so we’ll have an opportunity to work on that which is able to assist us. I’m actually enthusiastic about that.”

Sunderland caretaker boss Mike Dodds advised BBC Radio Newcastle:

“The followers will follow us if we give them what they need, which is 11 gamers giving every part.

“I feel all 4 objectives had been avoidable however on the flipside I’ve seen a group on Tuesday night time go toe-to-toe with a Premier League group in-waiting in Leicester and Southampton will see themselves the identical approach.

“Not solely did we go toe-to-toe with them however we bettered them in spells.

“It’s been a tough interval when it comes to accidents suspensions and fixtures however, as I stated to the gamers, no person goes to really feel sorry for us. We need to hold doing what we’re doing and believing in what we consider in and finally that may cease.”

On the penalty:

“The referees are human and they’ll make errors. The objective ought to have been chalked off however it’s not in my nature to criticise referees.”