Saturday 24 February 2018 20:39, UK
Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino said his substitutes changed the game as two combined to score a late equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Burnley.
Manolo Gabiaddini scored in the final minute of normal time to rescue the Saints a point, with the goal made by fellow sub Josh Sims as Saints moved two places outside the relegation zone.
Southampton only managed two touches inside the Burnley box before half-time, and although they improved after half-time it was only after falling behind, and the introduction of Sims in particular, that they began to look dangerous.
Pellegrino said: "It was difficult. Burnley are a team who don't concede too many, but we have a good feeling because the game was tight without too many chances for either side.
"The substitutions had a big impact on the team. Hopefully Manolo can regain his confidence. We've got 10 games and I need everybody to be ready to contribute."
The calls for a foul by Gabbiadini in the build-up to the goal were so strong that Ashley Barnes was cautioned for his protests to referee Bobby Madley, but Pellegrino felt there was no case to answer for his Italian forward, after his first goal for five months.
"I was thinking about my team. When you lose two points at the end it's massive and every team wants to win," he added.
"I don't think there was a foul by Monolo, I think people were complaining more about the referee's block, but the referee didn't intend to do it."
