- Joe Aribo - 72'
- Kyle Walker-Peters - 81'
- Rodrigo - 46', 60'
Southampton recover from two goals down to draw against Leeds
Southampton duo Kyle Walker-Peters and Joe Aribo cancelled out a double from Leeds United's Rodrigo as the home side roared back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Saturday.
Leeds looked set for the three points before Walker-Peters and Aribo turned the game on its head with two fine strikes to ease the pressure on manager Ralph Hasenhuttl following Saints' heavy loss at Tottenham Hotspur on the opening weekend.
- Notebook: The inside stories from world football
- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access
"It is the spirit in the team. We were disappointed after the Spurs game, going 1-0 up and then letting the game go like we did," said right back Walker-Peters.
"So today, going behind, we remembered that feeling and managed to stick to it and turn it around... you have to have faith in your team mates and the system."
Leeds dominated the ball in the early exchanges but it was Southampton who looked the more threatening, with Stuart Armstrong and debutant Armel Bella-Kotchap coming close.
The visitors were dealt a blow in the 28th minute when striker Patrick Bamford, who missed a chunk of last season due to injury, made way for Daniel James and the Welshman almost had a dream introduction as he forced Gavin Bazunu into a fine save.
Leeds made Southampton pay for a sloppy start to the second half when Rodrigo turned in Jack Harrison's cross from the left in the 46th minute with a clever finish before adding another on the hour with a header from close range.
Hasenhuttl tweaked his side's shape and brought on Aribo, Adam Armstrong and Sekou Mara and their impact was instant as Nigerian Aribo pulled one back in the 72nd minute when he finished off a slick team move.
Walker-Peters completed the comeback with a low powerful shot past Illan Meslier after latching onto an excellent pass from debutant Mara, who arrived from French side Bordeaux in the close season.
"We are really disappointed with the result. The game should finish differently," said Rodrigo, who was also on target in Leeds' opening win over Wolves.
"We did everything to leave here with three points. In the last 10-15 minutes we let them react and that is the level of the league. When you slip, the other team has quality. We have to digest this result and start focusing on next weekend."
Game Information
- Referees:
- Tony Harrington
English Premier League Standings
Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brighton & Hove Albion | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
Arsenal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
Liverpool | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
Manchester City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
Aston Villa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
Brentford | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
Manchester United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
Newcastle United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
AFC Bournemouth | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Leicester City | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Nottingham Forest | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Tottenham Hotspur | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Crystal Palace | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
West Ham United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
Fulham | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
Southampton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
Chelsea | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
Ipswich Town | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
Everton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 0 |