Long scores fastest Premier League goal but Southampton held at Watford
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ByEurosport
Updated 23/04/2019 at 21:26 GMT
Southampton’s Shane Long scored the quickest goal in Premier League history but his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Watford.
Shane Long of Southampton celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Southampton FC at Vicarage Road on April 23, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
The draw leaves the Saints still with work to do to guarantee their Premier League survival. Southampton are on 37 points, six ahead of 18th-placed Cardiff City, who occupy the final relegation slot, with three games remaining.
It should be enough for Ralph Hasenhuttl's side, especially after 17th-placed Brighton lost 1-0 at Tottenham on Tuesday, to fall three points behind Southampton.
But the reaction of the Saints players, who fell to the floor at the final whistle, reflected the bitter blow of conceding an Andre Gray goal in the 90th minute.
Long’s Saints managed to get off to the perfect start at Vicarage Road when Long chased down Craig Cathcart and blocked the defender’s clearance.
Long picked up the loose ball and casually dinked it over Ben Foster and into the net to give Southampton the lead.
At seven seconds, Long's goal beat that of previous record holder Ledley King, who scored against Bradford in 2000 after 9.82s.
Southampton could have had a second before the break when Nathan Redmond struck the post after breaking into the box on the right.
Watford keeper Ben Foster also produced a fine save to keep out a James Ward-Prowse free-kick aimed at the bottom corner and keep the lead to a single goal.
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Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster, right, was at fault for the goal
Image credit: PA Sport
But Watford striker Gray, who had gone close twice only to be foiled by Saints keeper Angus Gunn, pounced on a loose ball to find the target from close range in the final minute of normal time.
Watford moved above Everton into seventh place to keep up their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League. The Hornets are also in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Southampton's remaining fixtures are at home to Bournemouth, away to West Ham United and at home to already-relegated Huddersfield.
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