Southampton’s outside chances of squirming into the automatic playoff places was put to an end by Jack Clarke’s late equaliser at St Mary’s pn Tuesday night.
After Cyle Larin had put Southampton 2-1 up in the 80th minute, it looked as if the Saints might take it to the final game of the season at Preston North End on Saturday.
But Clarke’s shot from the edge of the penalty area found its way through a sea of legs and into the far corner to drag the tractor boys level. Clarke almost won it in the final minute when he poked the ball against the post.
Player ratings: Saints 2-2 Ipswich TownGoalkeeper and defenders
Daniel Peretz – 7/10: Anything less than World Class is a disappointment these days, such is the quality of the Israeli goalkeeper.
James Bree – 8/10: A bombastic display full of passion and quality. Bree got himself forward at every opportunity, particularly in the second half.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 6/10: Southampton’s stand-in skipper nearly scored an own goal when the ball ricocheted off him and onto the roof of the net. Didn’t get on the ball as consistently as he usually does.
Nathan Wood – 7/10: Wood was solid enough again without being spectacular. Never gave the ball away.
Ryan Manning – 8/10: A deflected free-kick took the Ireland International’s total to eight goals for the season, which is a remarkable contribution from left-back. Manning popped up everywhere on the pitch and had an excellent game.
Midfielders
Shea Charles – 7/10: Charles made a significant contribution alongside Jander in midfield. Won most of his battles against Wes Burns, but not all of them. Needs to do better in an attacking sense. Didn’t take the option to shoot when he could have.
Caspar Jander – 8/10: Another top-quality performance from the German, who is building an excellent reputation for himself.
Finn Azaz – 6/10: Azaz gave the ball away too often, but that sometimes happens when he tries to create opportunities out of nothing. He did earn the free-kick from which Manning dragged the Saints back into the contest.
Attackers
Tom Fellows – 6/10: Fellows was more like his former self at times at St Mary’s on Tuesday. Some mazy dribbles transformed defence into attack. Still needs to add that final ball.
Léo Scienza – 7/10: Southampton’s left winger showed glimpses of what he can do and sent a curling effort wide of the far post in the second half.
Cyle Larin – 9/10: Had Southampton held on to win the game, Larin would have been the rightly described hero. He worked hard all night and went close twice before he put Southampton ahead with a deft finish over the keeper. His all-around game was class and he was missed after he went off.
Substitutes
68’ Sam Edozie – 7/10
80’ Ross Stewart – 5/10
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