Early in the second half, George replaced Wright-Phillips with Orlando Bloom. Orlando was brought in from Nottingham Forest this summer to fill the position left by Dallas. In the championship league, he put on a steady performance as a defensive midfielder. However, this was the first time Orlando appeared in the Premier League. George hoped that Orlando could live up to his expectations.
The match between Southampton and Sunderland had officially started. At the start of the second half, Southampton immediately put pressure on Sunderland with an aggressive game. In the 46th minute, Southampton immediately got a chance. Orlando managed to get rid of Collback, who tried to steal the ball from him. After that, he passed the pass to Kazuki. The Japanese striker received a pass from Orlando and then adjusted himself, so that the ball was not stolen by Larrson.
After that, he provided a through ball to the right. The ball curved to the right. Crage received the ball casually, he didn't try to break through but gave Ryan a pass. Ryan received the ball while his body held by John O'Shea. At the same time, Kazuki barged into the penalty box. Ryan then gave Kazuki a through ball.
Kazuki received the ball smoothly, then he gave a hard shot towards the Sunderland goalpost. The ball hits the post before bouncing into the net. Sunderland goalkeeper Mignolet reacted late, so he could only see the ball enter the net. The goal was immediately greeted by deafening cheers. Southampton fans did not hesitate to vent their joy.
"Goaaaaalll! What an amazing shot. Southampton managed to make it 1-1 with Kazuki's hard shot. Now the situation is back in balance. Southampton still have a chance to win the game."
The goal left Sunderland's players frustrated. They did not expect Southampton to score the goal, so early in the second half. In less spirited circumstances, Sunderland started the kick-off again. After the goal, Southampton began to press Sunderland slowly.
The player advantage in midfield had also been overcome with adjustments. Southampton's two full-backs will guard Richardson and Sessegnon. While Orlando and Hilton will look after Collback and McClean, Rudolf will move up a bit as a connection point between the lines. Kazuki will drop close to Rudolf then Ryan will also be up front to pose a threat to the Sunderland defender. Crage and Kounde will focus on guarding Cattermole and Gardner.
In the 51st minute, Sunderland tried to launch an attack on Southampton. Larrson managed to steal the ball from Ryan's feet. After that, he dribbled the ball forward and then gave the pass to Cattermole. Kounde did a body charge. He interfered with Cattermole in carrying the ball. In a state of urgency, Cattermole provided a long pass forward. Orlando made an intercept. He managed to get the ball before Collback, he then sent a pass to the left side.
Ben Carter stepped forward boldly. He dribbled the ball against Richardson's figure. Fortunately, he managed to avoid a tackle from Richardson. Then, he unhesitatingly passed the ball to Rudolf. Rudolf received the ball, he then turned 180° and dribbled the ball quickly across the halfway line.
Rudolf passed the ball to Kazuki. Larrson immediately pushed Kazuki who had just received the ball with his body. Kazuki fell down immediately, the referee immediately awarded Southampton a free kick. The free kick angle wasn't very good, so Kazuki let Ryan kick the ball. Meanwhile, Kazuki followed with the other players went into Sunderland's penalty box.
Moments later, the referee blew the whistle to signal Ryan. The player kicks the ball as soon as possible. The ball passed over the player's wall and then gone to the far post of the goalpost. Rudolf jumped and tried to head the ball, but Collback's figure interfered with him, so he missed. The ball passed the Southampton players and flew off the field. The referee only gave a goal-kick to Sunderland.
The match resumed. In the 59th minute, Sunderland had another chance, this time, Richardson was providing a long pass to the left of the field. The ball was too high, so it looks like it will fall out of the penalty box. Fortunately, Sessegnon headed the ball into the field. Gardner, who was doing the overlap immediately took the ball from Sessegnon's header. He then provided a cross into the penalty box. McClean, who received the pass, volleyed in, but the ball gone high without direction.
A brilliant opportunity that unfortunately was wasted by Sunderland. In the 66th minute, Southampton attacked Sunderland relentlessly. This attack was preceded by a long pass sent by Orlando. Kazuki received the ball after defeating Larrson in an aerial duel. He then provided a through ball to the left of the field. Kounde did a sprint against Cattermole. This time he won. Kounde pulled the ball back as Cattermole was about to catch up.
Shortly after that, Kounde provided a pass to the middle of the penalty box. The ball curled into the goalmouth. Ryan appeared and headed the ball. Mignolet's hand punched the ball, so the ball bounced in front of the penalty box. Rudolf appeared and gave a hard shot. Unfortunately, the ball hit the top post and then bounced into the middle of the penalty box. At the same time, Kazuki adjusted his body so that his back was against the goalpost, and then he did an overhead kick.
However, Kazuki's kick was too weak that Mignolet managed to catch it. The Sunderland goalkeeper managed to get past Southampton's successive attacks. Southampton's luck this time was quite bad for missing consecutive chances.
Sunderland tried to get up, in the 71st minute, Sunderland launched an attack. Larrson gave the ball to Cattermole. Sunderland's right wing back immediately dribbled the ball forward. Kounde ran after Cattermole. Just as Kounde was about to reach him, Cattermole stopped the ball suddenly, causing Kounde to pass it just like that. He then dribbled the ball into the middle and gave a long pass to the left.
Sessegnon pushed the ball into the penalty box and chased it. At the same time, he passed Vicente and got the ball first. Without hesitation, he gave the pass into the middle. Campbell broke free from Okhalo's guard. Then he gave a shot. But the ball was blocked by Hilton with his body. As a result, the ball bounced off the field.
In the 81st minute, Collback made a pass error. As a result, Orlando snatched the ball from him. The Southampton Defensive Midfielder carried the ball quickly forward. As McClean tried to snatch the ball, Orlando sent a gouged pass to the side. Rudolf received the ball and gave it to Ryan.
Ryan flicked the ball to the right, then chased it. Soon, he gave Crage a through ball. At that time, Crage was in such a good position that he managed to outpace Gardner. Later, he gave a flat pass into the middle. Kazuki wanted to receive the ball however, he was heavily guarded, so Kazuki chose to let the ball pass through the gap between his legs.
Mignolet who was already focusing on Kazuki failed to react seeing what Kazuki was doing. The next second, Kounde kicked the ball towards the Sunderland goalpost. Mignolet failed to catch the ball, Southampton managed to score the second goal.