Sluggish Saints lose in Prague

Sparta Prague confirmed their place in the last 32 of the Europa League after they edged a flat Southampton side 1-0 at the Generali Arena.

The hosts scored the only goal of the affair after a well-worked free-kick from Borek Dockal was finished off by Costa Nhamoinesu at the back-post in the 11^th minute.

Southampton will no doubt be frustrated in what was a toothless performance from the Premier League side, but will take heart in the fact that their faith is in their own hands when they host Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. on the 6^th of December knowing a draw will see them through to the last 32 of the Europa League.

It was Claude Puel’s side who created the opening opportunity in the 2^nd minute when Irish International Shane Long displayed great strength before playing in Jordy Clasie whose clever flick found Jay Rodriguez,before the out-of-favour striker struggled to get a shot off in what was a golden chance.

The Saints looked sharped after falling a goal behind, particularly Nathan Redmond and Sam McQueen on theflank, and the duo linked up in the 15^th minute when former Norwich City man sent McQueen in on goal, only for the youngster to slice his shot wide.

Despite dominating much of the first-half, the visitors provided little in terms of an attacking threat, and they were fortunate to still be in the tie after Dockal’s free-kick whispered just wide of Fraser Forster’s near-post.

Lukas Marecek was centimetres away from doubling his side’s advantage after his long-range effort edged past the framework before Dockal’s precise effort was met by a solid save from the former Celtic man.

The away side should have equalised in the 78^th minute when James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick was headed over from close-range, the Dutchman guilty of missing his side’s best chance of the game.

Southampton will now turn their attention back to the Premier League when they host Ronald Koeman’s Everton on the 27^th at St Mary and will be hoping they can claim three points over their former boss.

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Photo- Gettyimages-Matej Diviizna