Super Eagles and Southampton striker Paul Onuachu was on target in his side’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Handed a rare start by manager Ivan Juric, Onuachu repaid the faith by breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute.
The towering Nigerian forward rose highest to meet a Mateus Fernandes cross, directing his header past Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who failed to keep the ball from slipping under his arms.
Southampton held onto their slender lead for most of the match, hoping to secure a crucial Premier League victory. However, disaster struck in the dying minutes.
Onuachu drew first blood at the St may’s stadium. Photo Credit: Imago
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Onuachu, who has now netted four goals in nine starts this season, was forced off in the 90th minute due to what appeared to be a cramp.
Just three minutes later, Southampton’s defense was breached as Jefferson Lerma’s cross found Matheus Franca, who headed home past Aaron Ramsdale to snatch a late equalizer for Crystal Palace.
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With only eight league games remaining, Southampton remain seven points adrift of 19th-placed Leicester City. Their hopes of avoiding relegation to the EFL Championship now hang by a thread.
