Southampton finally found a spark in their struggling Premier League campaign, thanks to two Nigerian stars, Joe Aribo and Paul Onuachu, who delivered a game-winning performance that secured a vital victory against Ipswich Town.
But was this win just a moment of brilliance, or could it mark a turning point in their season?
Joe Aribo breaks goal drought in style
The Saints, desperate for points, struck first at Portman Road when Joe Aribo capitalised on a defensive error to smash home a clinical first-time finish in the 21st minute, footballrover reports.
It was a much-needed goal for the Nigerian midfielder, who had gone 59 days without scoring since his last Premier League goal on December 4.
Ipswich, however, responded quickly. Liam Delap found the net after evading a challenge from Jan Bednarek, levelling the scores before halftime.
Southampton, despite their early lead, faced a battle to claim all three points.
Paul Onuachu delivers last-minute winner
The tense encounter seemed destined for a draw until Paul Onuachu stepped up in the dying moments.
With just minutes to play, Kamaldeen Sulemana tested the Ipswich goalkeeper with a fierce shot, forcing a rebound that fell perfectly for Onuachu.
The towering striker made no mistake, burying his second Premier League goal of the season to seal Southampton’s third league victory.
Onuachu’s influence went beyond his match-winning goal. The Nigerian forward dominated aerial battles, winning 17 duels—the most in the match—ensuring Ipswich struggled to gain control.
A turning point for Southampton?
While this win lifts Southampton’s spirits, they remain rooted at the bottom of the Premier League table, still eight points from safety.
The Super Eagles stars step up as Southampton clinch their first Premier League away victory of the season.
With just two wins all season, they have a long way to go to avoid relegation. Ipswich, on the other hand, extended their winless run to five matches, deepening their own struggles.
For Southampton fans, the performances of Joe Aribo and Paul Onuachu offer a glimmer of hope.
If the Super Eagles duo can maintain this form, the Saints might just have a fighting chance.
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