RUSSELL Martin joked about hating the basketball nature of his Southampton side’s breathless victory over Huddersfield.
Saints were 2-0 and 3-2 down and looking at their 24-game unbeaten run ending, before a crazy second half. Although they kept their club record run going to a quarter of a century, master of perfection Martin was less enthralled by the madness.
He said: “I enjoyed the feeling at the end. That isn’t my kind of game. It was like basketball at one point, it was carnage.
“I love basketball, but not on a big pitch. My immediate feeling is immense pride and gratitude towards the players and the supporters for the energy they showed.
“To do what they are doing is incredible. Nobody should ever take that for granted. It takes work, courage and intensity.”
A variety of early half chances came and went, but Flynn Downes’ exit in the 32nd minute while clutching his groin allowed the Terriers to pounce, as Saints re-jiggled their mid- field. Jack Rudoni pulled back from the left to Sorba Thomas who bounced his finish over Ryan Manning’s leg.
Nine minutes later and David Kasumu doubled the visitors’ lead in similar style. This time Thomas turned provider with a run and cross from the right before the wing-back crashed into the roof of the net.
The performance, tied with an unhappiness towards referee David Webb, saw loud boos accompany the half-time whistle.
But four minutes after the re-start, Joe Rothwell smashed the ball into the postage stamp with impressive accuracy after Lee Nicholls had punched Stuart Armstrong’s corner to the edge of the penalty box.
It was Rothwell’s first goal since arriving on loan from Bou
