EPL: Onuachu, Aribo feature as Tottenham defeat seals Southampton relegation fate

By: Wale Mustapha

Southampton’s relegation from the English Premier League was confirmed on Sunday after a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Despite the efforts of Nigerian duo Paul Onuachu and Joe Aribo, the Saints were unable to prevent their fall to the Championship.

The defeat came after Wolves secured a vital victory over Ipswich on Saturday, sealing Southampton’s fate.

Aribo started the match for Southampton but was substituted in the 61st minute, while Onuachu came on in the 73rd minute but could not make a significant impact on the game.

Tottenham dominated the first half, with Brennan Johnson scoring twice to put Spurs in control. Southampton pulled one back late through Matheus Fernandes, giving them a brief hope for a comeback.

However, any hopes were dashed when Martyl Tel scored a stoppage-time penalty, restoring Tottenham’s two-goal cushion.

The loss confirmed Southampton’s relegation with seven games to spare, setting a new Premier League record for the earliest relegation in terms of remaining fixtures. Previously, Derby County (2007/08) and Huddersfield (2018/19) both had six games left when they were relegated, but the Saints have now gone one better, making this a historic relegation for all the wrong reasons.

The defeat also marks the end of Southampton’s 11-year stay in the Premier League, as they will now compete in the Championship next season.