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United’s second streak came into this game after what was something of a surprising 2-0 loss to West Ham United in our last outing at Rush Green. Fine rain replaced the heavy snow that was falling earlier in the day, but the temperature had plummeted when United and the Saints got the ball rolling. And it was the visitors who drew attention in the opening minutes with a pair of quick attacks that could have brought a goal if Paul Woolston hadn’t made a great dive to block Dan N’Lundulu’s shot. Five minutes later, it was United’s turn to jeopardize the Saints’ goal after an exquisite raked pass from Puigmal found Elanga one-on-one with goalkeeper Kingsley Latham. Elanga seemed favorite to win the duel but it was Latham who prevailed. The Southampton No. 1 had to deal with a similar effort from Mark Helm and Woolston also kept busy to keep the Saints forwards cheerful. Arguably, the visitors could say they were getting past him, but in the 34th minute, it was United who took the lead when a promising attack ended abruptly with a foul on Álvaro Fernández just yards from the penalty area. Elanga was tasked with the free kick, which would almost certainly hit the mark were it not for Southampton’s defensive wall. Fortune favored the Swedish midfielder and made the most of the rebound with a low sizzle. And it could have been 2-0 shortly before halftime, but Latham made a jaw-dropping save from point-blank range to frustrate Will Fish.
