Monday, April 10, 2006

by Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Sports Correspondent
Email: gary@caribbeannetnews.com

LONDON, England : Jamaican international Ricardo Fuller scored his sixth goal of the season to help his Southampton side beat bottom place Brighton 2-0 in the English Coca-Cola Championship on a heavily-sanded Withdean pitch on Saturday.

Fuller, who last week said he would use the remaining games of the season to silence the Saints' critical fans, hit his third goal in two games since returning from a loan spell at Ipswich.

Playing away to Brighton in front of a packed stadium of 7,999 fans cheering on the home side, Southampton took the lead in the 37th minute when Fuller finished off a Grzegorz Rasiak's blocked shot from 10 yards.

The tricky Reggae Boyz striker pounced on another spill by the keeper Wayne Henderson, took a touch to steady himself and create space and then fired home to move clear at the top of the club's goalscoring charts.

After the interval, the Saints were always in control with the rejuvenated Fuller giving them an extra edge in attack. His moves on and off the ball were too much for the Brighton side who once against failed to capitalise on their home turf.

Richard Chaplow, driving from the midfield made it safe for Southampton when he sealed the game in the 62nd minute.

"We knew a win today would virtually guarantee safety and that is how it has turned out. With Millwall losing, we are all but there which is a good feeling," said Southampton manager George Burley.

"The first objective has been achieved and now we can look ahead to next year. We need a strong finish to the campaign to give ourselves a good platform and to go into the summer on a high.

"We have to strengthen to get a squad which will be capable of winning promotion to the Premiership and competing there.

It is now safe to say that Fuller and his Saints teammates are well clear of the relegation zone since West Bromwich Albion and Millwall cannot catch them. In the meantime, although Crewe Alexandra could still draw level with them on points, Burley's men have a vastly superior goal difference and are well in the clear.

"I really believe next season will be an exciting one for the club. The summer will be crucial for us. We have to get good players in to enable us to make a real strong bid for promotion and I am confident we can do that.

"First though we want to finish this season on a high because football is a game of habits and we have to make sure we build on these two wins."

Southampton will on Saturday travel to Stoke before entertaining Millwall at home, play away to Crystal Palace and finish off at home against Leicester on the last day in the month.

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