Middlesbrough 1-2 Southampton: Rodriguez & Redmond Strike to Seal Relegation for Boro

Strikes on either side of half-time from Jay Rodriguez and Nathan Redmond secured victory for Southampton at the Riverside, despite a penalty miss from Shane Long and rare goal from Patrick Bamford for the home side.

The Saints broke their four game scoring drought to inflict Middlesbrough’s nineteenth loss of the season as Boro said farewell to Premier League football on Teesside following their relegation.

Middlesbrough looked bright in the opening minutes of the game, despite confirmation of their relegation only five days earlier, as Bamford had an opportunity in the middle of the box only moments after the first minute which required a desperate intervention from the Saints defence to deny the 23-year-old a shot on goal. 

The visitors settled into the game slowly – likely to be attributed to the seven changes made in the Saints starting lineup – as the half settled with little to peak the interests of either the home or away supporters.

Glimpses of scoring opportunities arose for both sides but all efforts failed to trouble either goalkeeper and with the game crying out for a flash of brilliance, Long and Rodriguez duly obliged for the visitors.

The 30-year-old’s run in-behind the defence on the right-hand side resulted in a brilliant cross from the by-line into the penalty spot, where Rodriguez was waiting to pounce as he coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net just before the half-time interval. The Saints first goal in four games. 

A scrappy start to the second-half ensued as both sides failed to successfully maintain possession.

The first chance once again came to Bamford in the middle of the box who slashed the ball over the bar which highlighted the lack of clinical edge in the final third which has plagued the home side throughout their entire campaign.

Moments later Southampton took advantage of Boro’s inability to score as they doubled their lead when Redmond was left completely unmarked on the left-hand side as he weaved into the penalty box, out-footed his opponent and slammed the ball into the top right corner of the goal. 

With frustration in the air at the Riverside, the Saints were given a golden opportunity moments later to seal the game when Brad Guzan needlessly came out of goal to close down Long, but the American caught the Saints attacker and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. 

However, Long’s penalty is one he will not look back on with fondness as he skyrocketed the ball over the bar much to the elation of the home fans.  

The good feeling continued for Middlesbrough when Bamford made his next opportunity stick – his first goal in 33 games – as his header from a Viktor Fischer corner left Fraser Forster with no opportunity to make a save. 

A rare moment to celebrate for Middlesbrough gave the home supporters something to smile about as their time in the Premier League at the Riverside came to an end. 

Despite the late resurgence and press for an equaliser the loss keeps Boro on 28 points which is behind their lowest ever point tally in a season (29) which gives them something to fight for as they look to prevent a new unwanted record at the club when they make the trip to Anfield next week in the final game of the season.

The victory solidifies Southampton’s sport in the top half of the table with two matches still remaining in the season against Manchester United and Stoke City. 

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