Southampton: Grobbelaar, Kenna, Widdrington, Magilton, Hall, Benali, Le Tissier, Ekelund, Dowie, Maddison, Heaney.
Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Bould, adams, Keown, Winterburn, Selley, Schwarz, McGoldrick (71mins Carter), Dickov, Campbell.
This was Grobbelaar's first game since the match rigging allegations so all eyes were on him to see how he would perform. A test came in the first 15 minutes when McGoldrick crossed, Campbell headed back across the box and Dickov lashed the ball goalwards. Grobbelaar saved well with his legs and reacted quickly to grab the ball. Generally a rather dull first half. The only other decent shot was an overhead kick by Dickov from just outside the box. Grobbelaar mad a comfortable save, diving to his left.
The players came out for the second half and Grobbelaar had to face the mass of Arsenal fans waving fake notes at him which read: "Bank of Grobbland, I promise to let in one goal in return for fifty pounds!" He reacted brilliantly, smiling and waving at us. Taking off a stewards cap and offering it to the crowd for coins!
Southampton's first real chance came early in the second half when Ekelund had a free run at goal. He had a one on one with Seaman but somehow put the ball into the side netting.
Southampton's goal came 30 seconds after a clear handball by Le Tissier. I thought that maybe I saw it wrong but the replay on 'Match of the Day' confirmed that he jumped with his hands in the air as Seaman tried to clear the ball. The ball struck his hands and, after a couple of deflections, Southampton won a throw in. Kenna passed to Magilton who scooped the ball into the net leaving Seaman no chance. Arsenal never looked like scoring. Dickov was brought down in the box but I, and everyone around me, thought that Grobbelaar would save the resulting penalty. He went the wrong way but Dickov placed the ball wide. A late chance was dragged wide by Schwarz so Grobbelaar got his first Premiership clean sheet of the season.
Arsenal were poor. They only managed 2 chances on target of any note. No Merson, Jensen, Smith or Wright. Jimmy Carter, of all people, came on as a substitute! A bad omen, surely. Campbell continues to frustrate. I hope that Wright and Dickov are paired when Ian returns. Schwarz was good - our best player in my opinion, but that isn't saying much. Oh well. As someone said to me, each bad result makes a big signing more likely.
I hope Grobbelaar is innocent. He came out to give the ball back for a throw in in the second half. Someone sitting a couple of seats away in the row in front of me threw a wallet at his feet. He laughed, picked it up and threw it back! He's a great character and the game needs people like him. Even the Arsenal fans applauded him at the end. He deserves applause for having the guts to play and the character to not let the allegations effect his performance