EPL: Stoke City 2-1 Southampton

Richarlison (second from right) scores Watford's late equaliser

Stoke ended a run of four games without a Premier League victory by seeing off a poor Southampton side 2-1 at the bet365 Stadium.

The Potters had failed to pick up three points from any of their league outings in September prior to Southampton's visit on Saturday.

Mark Hughes’ men made an incredibly positive start and Joe Allen almost broke the deadlock with less than five minutes on the clock, but his left-footed effort was sent narrowly over the bar.

Stoke continued to attack as Xherdan Shaqiri and Maxim Choupo-Moting both tested Fraser Forster between the sticks.

Southampton started to settle into the game after 20 minutes with some good possession, however they were unable to threaten in the final third.

The hosts eventually made their pressure pay with 39 minutes gone when Mame Biram Diouf beat his man at the near post to head home Shaqiri’s corner.

Stoke had the chance to double their lead three minutes later after Saido Berahino won a cheap penalty when referee Mike Jones deemed he had been pulled back by Virgil van Dijk in the box, but the striker saw his effort saved by Forster and justice appeared to be served.

Saints could count themselves lucky for only being a goal down at the break and they emerged for the second half with a bit more composure about their play.

Shane Long failed to take advantage of some good positions as he put two efforts over the bar from close range while Nathan Redmond also lacked accuracy in the box.

The visitors did force their way back into the game with 15 minutes left to play as Maya Yoshida should great agility to volley home off bar.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s side were arguably the better side in the second half but their hearts were broken on 84 minutes when Peter Crouch stole all three points for Stoke after coming off the bench.

The striker reacted sharply to poke home from just three yards out after Choupo-Moting’s shot was pushed into his path by Forster.

Southampton threw everything at Stoke during seven minutes of additional time but couldn’t create anything meaningful and the pressure is already starting to grow on Pellegrino.