Long Historic Goal Earns Southampton A Point Against Watford

23rd April 2019 - by Southampton FC

The 32-year-old's strike surpassed the previous fastest Premier League goal, scored by Tottenham defender Ledley King in 9.9 seconds against Bradford in December 2000

Shane Long of Southampton celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary's Stadium on April 13, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. PHOTO/ GETTY IMAGES

SUMMARY

Two goals 89 minutes apart were shared as Shane Long wrote his name into the record books with the fastest strike in Premier League history, en route to a valuable point at Watford that Southampton will feel should have been three
A more conservative second period followed, with record-breaker Long later hobbling off injured, as Saints looked to have done enough to hold on
Then Gerard Deulofeu, scorer of eight goals in his last nine games, set his sights on another with a trademark curling shot that had Gunn scampering to his left and relieved to see it lack the necessary bend to nestle inside his far post

WATFORD, United Kingdom-Two goals 89 minutes apart were shared as Shane Long wrote his name into the record books with the fastest strike in Premier League history, en route to a valuable point at Watford that Southampton will feel should have been three.

Long’s opportunistic effort, officially timed at 7.69 seconds after he dispossessed Craig Cathcart straight from kick-off, shattered the previous record of 19 years held by Ledley King, whose goal at Bradford back in 2000 clocked in at 9.82 seconds.

That it looked like being the winner for so long was even more remarkable considering the glut of scoring chances that followed, particularly in a pulsating first half in which Saints twice struck the foot of the post.

A more conservative second period followed, with record-breaker Long later hobbling off injured, as Saints looked to have done enough to hold on.

But with stoppage time approaching, Andre Gray rescued a point for FA Cup finalists Watford with a powerful shot that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.

Ralph Hasenhüttl made two changes to his side that started the 3-1 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday, citing the need to be quicker out of the blocks in Saints’ penultimate away game of the campaign.

In came Stuart Armstrong, a half-time substitute at St James’ Park, and Long in place of Josh Sims and Danny Ings, who dropped to the bench alongside Yan Valery – himself back in the squad after illness.

Hasenhüttl’s wish for a faster start was granted in record time.

Ironically it was Watford who took the kick-off, but when the ball was played back to Cathcart, Long was razor sharp to charge down the defender’s clearance and run through on goal.

As Ben Foster advanced, the Irishman had the composure to lift the ball over the advancing keeper and leave his former West Brom teammate picking the ball out of his net earlier than any goalkeeper since the Premier League was formed 27 years ago.

Vicarage Road, but for the pocket of Saints fans behind Angus Gunn’s goal and those still shuffling in to take their seats, fell silent.

Watford, surely stunned, nearly responded instantly in a surreal opening, as Gray fed Will Hughes on the right and Saints found themselves wide open.

From Hughes’s return pass, Gray was first denied by a crucial Gunn save before heading the rebound over the bar as the ball looped up into the air with the keeper still grounded.

Then Gerard Deulofeu, scorer of eight goals in his last nine games, set his sights on another with a trademark curling shot that had Gunn scampering to his left and relieved to see it lack the necessary bend to nestle inside his far post.

Back came Saints as the breathless start continued. James Ward-Prowse, again operating in the right wing-back position as he did at Newcastle, produced a devilish cross just beyond the stretching Long, who could not quite crane his neck sufficiently to head home.