Southampton extended their unbeaten run to 15 consecutive games as they overcame a difficult obstacle, beating a plucky QPR side 1-0.
Leeds United had beaten Ipswich Town 4-0 in the early kick-off, which put the pressure on Southampton to win to keep level on points with Leeds but also capitalise on second-place Ipswich’s dropped points.
Russell Martin‘s side did just that, beating a recently rejuvenated QPR by a single goal courtesy of Taylor Harwood-Bellis who fired home from close range following an Adam Armstrong flick-on from a Ryan Manning set-piece in the 42nd minute; Armstrong continuing to thrive in the Championship this season.
The Saints had to do their fair share of defending to ensure they took all three points back to the south coast in the last game before Christmas and managed to stay resolute and see out the game despite QPR’s best efforts. In truth, it should have been more comfortable, with the likes of Che Adams and Adam Armstrong missing chances and Southampton struggling once again to make their dominance pay.
A late Shea Charles red card for a second bookable offence made seeing out the win more difficult, but the Southampton defence dug deep to secure the points, with one particular individual head and shoulders above the rest.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis dominant against QPR
Harwood-Bellis has been a revelation since joining Southampton on loan in the summer, with the club obligated to sign the 21-year-old for £20 million from Manchester City if they are to gain promotion this season.
Harwood-Bellis looks determined to do everything he can to ensure that very scenario occurs and is currently keeping club captain Jack Stephens out of the side following the skipper’s recent return from injury. The England under-21 captain has formed a solid partnership with Jan Bednarek in central defence, with the Polish defender also impressing with his performances as Southampton have now kept four clean sheets in their last six games.
All three featured against QPR, with Stephens coming on for Adam Armstrong in a move intended to help Southampton shut up shop defensively. Despite being the youngest of the trio, Harwood-Bellis showed that he is a real Rolls-Royce of a defender as he put in an imperious display in west London.
According to Sofascore, Harwood-Bellis had the most touches of anyone on the pitch with 111 and completed 83 passes with an 87% success rate in a tight, edgy Loftus Road stadium. He did, of course, also provide the telling moment with his first half finish.
Harwood-Bellis is just as comfortable doing the defensive side of the game as he is playing out from the back and he showed this emphatically as he was completely dominant against QPR. The £12k-a-week man made five interceptions and won all four of his aerial duels, with a success rate of 83% in all duels. The defender also made two clearances, two blocks, one tackle, and was not dribbled past once.
After conceding with concerning frequency at the beginning of the season, Southampton now seem to have solid foundations and much of this is down to the partnership that Harwood-Bellis and Bednarek have cultivated in Stephens’ absence. This may mean that the Saints captain will have to bide his time, but it is a nice problem for Martin to have as he looks forward to the second half of the season.