Southampton vs Ipswich Town. Premier League.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance31,117.
Report and free match highlights as a late Sam Morsy strike cancels out Tyler Dibling's early goal to deny Southampton a first win of the league season; Premier League showdown between two promoted teams at St Mary's finishes with scores level at 1-1
Saturday 21 September 2024 21:50, UK
Ipswich left it late as Sam Morsy's strike denied Southampton a first league win of the season after the Saints had led through Tyler Dibling's opener until added time.
When Dibling scored after just five minutes, Southampton were dreaming of registering their first three points of the season. The 18-year-old's goal, a well-worked one with Adam Lallana's reverse pass playing him in before he sent Arijanet Muric the wrong way, put his side ahead in a game for the first time this season.
After the goal though, Ipswich rapidly found themselves on top of the home side, dominating both possession and chances for a sustained spell but failing to find a response. Their uncertainty in front of goal was very nearly punished with Cameron Archer's tame effort on goal bouncing off the upright after he had rounded the goalkeeper, a missed chance the home side would regret.
Ipswich found clear-cut opportunities hard to come by in the first half with Omari Hutchinson coming closest to really testing Aaron Ramsdale with a curling effort from distance. Ramsdale responded with a terrific stretching save.
In the second half, the game became more scrappy but it was Southampton who had the better chances. Fabrice Fernandes went close but his effort was wayward and, despite replacing Archer with Ben Brereton Diaz, they failed to find another breakthrough with the substitute forward missing a glaring effort of his own.
Seven minutes of added time was indicated by the fourth official and the home side were punished during that period as Ipswich skipper Morsy's effort from the edge of the box deflected off Joe Aribo to secure the visitors a late equaliser.
The 1-1 draw handed Southampton their first point of the season after four consecutive defeats and saw Ipswich draw their third consecutive game.
Southampton boss Russell Martin:
"We got a few fundamentals wrong that we don't in training so that has to be down to anxiety. That's what I'm really angered about.
"If we stick to the detail that we work on relentlessly and it happens, we all have to accept it happens but when we don't do what we've worked on it's a problem.
"It's about managing that moment but I understand, we haven't won a game yet, there's frustration we didn't get the second goal which I felt we deserved in the second half."
Analysis by Sky Sports' William Bitibiri:
"His socks are low, his feet are tricky and he was born in 2006. Tyler Dibling has had a promising start to the season and looks primed to continue to impress.
"Last time out his positive play drew Manchester United's Diogo Dalot out to earn a penalty and he followed that up with his first Southampton goal against Ipswich that very nearly handed his side their first win of the season.
"Dibling's goal was well taken, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way as he slotted his side into an unfamiliar lead. It was more than his goalscoring that caught the eye though, his influence was spread throughout everything Southampton did well during the game. The 18-year-old showed no fear, completing three of his four dribbles as well as winning eight of his 16 duels.
"In 2022 Dibling signed for Chelsea before returning to Southampton just two months later, if his form continues, one would imagine it won't be too long before the elite clubs come calling once again."
