Saints beat Swans and march towards Premier League safety

Southampton boss Mark Hughes savoured his side moving to the brink of Premier League safety with victory over deflated Swansea on a potentially pivotal evening in south Wales.

Striker Manolo Gabbiadini, who has endured a frustratingly anonymous season, was thrown into action by Hughes in the second half and repaid his managers faith moments after taking the field with his first goal since February and only his fifth of the campaign.

Victory moved the Saints three points clear of the relegation zone and they can now afford to lose against champions Manchester City in their final game of the season on Sunday providing Swansea fail to make up a nine-goal swing when they face Stoke.

This result relegated West Brom, while Huddersfield are the other team in the demotion mix but they will preserve their top-flight status should they secure a point in their game in hand against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight.

“In some games we have had things go against us and we have had to pick ourselves up but I thought my players were immense today – they just werent going to be denied,” said Hughes.

“Im really delighted for them and the club. Clearly, relegation out of the Premier League is a huge negative for any club. Its not done mathematically yet but weve put ourselves in a wonderful position.”

Despite an increasingly bleak outlook, Swansea manager Carlos Carvalhal is refusing to relinquish all hope. He said: “Its not easy this situation. Tonight was a punch but we must react very fast and do our part. Sunday well be here to try and win the game.”

Southampton played the slicker football during a tense first half but created few chances; their most presentable fell to Charlie Austin, whose shot and fierce volley were both clutched with relative ease by Swans goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Swansea threatened moments into the second period and Saints stopper Alex McCarthy produced a fingertip save to divert former Aston Villa forward Jordan Ayews curling effort over the crossbar.

Austin had two further attempts before his 73rd-minute volley, after substitute Shane Long and Oriol Romeu kept the ball alive with headers across goal, was repelled by Fabianski, only for Gabbiadini to force the ball home from close range.

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