Lincoln City earned a point against one of the Championship’s top sides this afternoon, but the visitors will surely feel happier with that outcome.
The biggest attendance at the Bank since 1983 created an incredible atmosphere in which the home side thrived. In truth, 1-1 probably flatters the visitors, who scored an utter worldy but appeared, at times, to struggle with the physical elements of the game.
In the end, a goal from our Danish giant, Mikkel Aldefoged, earned a cherished point to give the Imps the very least they deserved. City made changes to the side which drew with Blackburn Rovers, with Andrei Coubis coming in at right wing-back for Dom Jefferies. Reeco Hackett dropped to the bench as Ben House returned, and there was a surprise outing for Sonny Bradley, back from injury and wearing the captain’s armband. Callum Elder, impressive at left centre-back recently, dropped to the bench.
City made a bright start and created two openings inside the first minute. Coubis was released down the right and saw his initial effort blocked before recovering possession and crossing for Rob Street, whose header was deflected over. The resulting corner caused further problems for Southampton, with a deep delivery finding Coubis again, although his header was comfortably held by Daniel Peretz.
The Imps continued to carry the greater threat, Street teeing up Freddie Draper on five minutes for a long-range effort which flew wide. There was an early flashpoint soon afterwards when House fouled Welington, whose theatrical fall drew plenty of criticism from the home support. The Southampton defender was barracked again moments later as he sent a cross into the area. At the other end, Kuryu Matsuki tested George Wickens from distance on 12 minutes, but the City goalkeeper held comfortably.
City were soon threatening again. Draper did well before Street found space in the left channel and forced Peretz into a save, before Flynn Downes escaped without a booking for a late challenge on Draper a minute later. Coubis was proving a regular outlet down the right and delivered another dangerous ball into the area on 17 minutes, but Draper was just unable to get on the end of it.
The Imps almost created trouble for themselves on 21 minutes when Deji Elerewe played Wickens into difficulty. With Cyle Larin looking to capitalise, the goalkeeper reacted quickly and headed the ball clear while on the ground to prevent Southampton from creating an opening. Elerewe then conceded a free kick around 30 yards from goal, but James Ward-Prowse’s effort was poor and flew well wide.
City continued to create the better openings. Coubis found Ivan Varfolomeev, whose cross was met by Adam Reach, but his header dropped narrowly over the bar. Southampton responded through James Bree, who crossed for Larin on the half-hour, but the striker headed over after getting the better of Elerewe.
The Imps should have taken the lead three minutes later. Wickens produced an excellent ball to release Coubis, who did brilliantly to keep it in before crossing into the area. House was well placed but miskicked, allowing Southampton to scramble the ball away for a throw.
Southampton began to offer more of a threat towards the end of the half. Leo Scienza cut inside before firing across goal, with a deflection taking the ball behind for a corner. That set piece was worked to the edge of the area, where Ward-Prowse struck well wide. City then passed up another excellent chance on 40 minutes when Street delivered an inswinging cross from the left towards House at the back post, but his header went over.
Ward-Prowse’s delivery from a deep free kick then found Keven Schlotterbeck, although his header looped up and over. Conor McGrandles was booked shortly afterwards, having lost possession before hauling down the Southampton player who dispossessed him.
Despite City having enjoyed the better chances, Southampton took the lead in remarkable fashion in the 44th minute. Welington collected the ball around 30 yards from goal and unleashed a stunning long-range strike which flew beyond Wickens to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
In stoppage time, City almost levelled, Draper picking up a ball in the area and striking left-footed, but it was turned over by Peretz.
Each bar shows the two sides' share of that row's total, so it says who had more — not whether it was good, which would need a league-wide distribution this one match cannot provide.
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