MY ACCOUNT
Joe Aribo and Kyle Walker-Peters struck in the final 18 minutes as Southampton came from two down to draw 2-2 at home to Leeds.
Rodrigo opened the scoring for the visitors at the start of the second half, turning in Jack Harrison’s low cross.
The Spaniard grabbed his second on the hour mark, helping Pascal Struijk’s looping header over the line to double Leeds’ advantage.
Southampton pulled one back 12 minutes later as Aribo collected a pass from Adam Armstrong and rounded Illan Meslier before stroking home.
The hosts equalised with less than 10 minutes remaining as Walker-Peters fired past Meslier at his near post to ensure the Saints snatched a point.
Saints full-back Walker-Peters felt the result had lifted the mood could provide a springboard for more positive performances.
He said: “It is the spirit in the team. We were disappointed after the Spurs game, going 1-0 up and then letting the game go like we did.
“So today, going behind, we remembered that feeling and managed to stick to it and turn it around.
“You have to have faith in your team-mates and system. We are all a team and have worked on it in the week. We knew we could score using this system.
“Coming from 2-0 down should give everyone real confidence and belief. We should kick on from here. Next game try and get three points.”
Leeds goalscorer Rodrigo, meanwhile, expressed his disappointment at letting a two-goal lead slip.
He said: “We are really disappointed with the result. The game should finish differently. We did everything to leave here with three points.
“In the last 10-15 minutes we let them react and that is the level of the league. When you slip, the other team has quality. We have to digest this result and start focusing on next weekend.
“I am happy for the goals and for helping the team, but the most important thing always is helping the team and the win.
“It is not bad [four points], it is a better start than the last season. But when you have 2-0 away in your hands, a draw is always a disappointment.”
Did you know?
Southampton’s draw against Leeds ends a run of five straight league defeats stretching back to April.
Rodrigo is the first Leeds player to have scored three or more goals in the first two games of a Premier League season since Alan Smith in 2000-01.
No current Leeds player has registered more assists for the club since their return to the top flight in 2020 than Harrison (11).
Aribo’s goal makes him the first Nigerian to score in the Premier League for Southampton and the 38th overall.
