Middlesbrough 1-2 Southampton

Middlesbrough 1-2 Southampton

Southampton remain on course for a top-half Premier League finish as they held off a late fightback from a meek already relegated Middlesbrough.

Jay Rodriguez put Saints in front at the end of a lifeless first half, losing Calum Chambers to turn in Shane Long's cross after a neat build-up.

Half-time substitute Nathan Redmond curled an exquisite strike into the top corner on 57 minutes after being left completely unmarked by a careless Boro defence.

Boro's Brad Guzan conceded a penalty after felling Long, with sections of the home crowd calling for their keeper to be sent off by referee Anthony Taylor, only for the Saints striker to fire his spot-kick over.

Patrick Bamford scored his first goal since rejoining Middlesbrough in January by heading in Viktor Fischer's corner to set up a nervy finish for the visitors.

Chambers drew a fine save from Saints keeper Fraser Forster but the hosts could not find an equaliser in their final game at the Riverside before dropping back to the Championship.

BBC