Super Eagles and Southampton striker, Paul Onuachu, found the net in his side’s 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at St. Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday evening. The goal came as a result of an excellent performance by the forward, who was handed a rare start by Southampton’s manager, Ivan Juric, against an in-form Crystal Palace side that had been enjoying a five-match winning streak across all competitions. Onuachu’s inclusion in the starting lineup came as a surprise, but he quickly repaid his manager’s trust with a powerful header in the 20th minute, breaking the deadlock and giving Southampton a crucial lead in the match.

The goal followed a brilliant link-up play between Flynn Downes and Mateus Fernandes, who delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. Onuachu, known for his aerial prowess, rose above the Crystal Palace defenders and guided the ball into the back of the net. It was his fourth goal of the season, a much-needed contribution to the team’s efforts in their fight against relegation.

Despite facing a strong attack from Crystal Palace, Southampton’s defense held firm for most of the match. The Saints were looking likely to secure their third Premier League victory of the season, but in a cruel twist of fate, their hopes were dashed in stoppage time. Onuachu, who was playing in his ninth league start of the season, was forced to leave the pitch in the 90th minute after sustaining an injury. This setback could prove to be a significant blow to Southampton’s survival hopes, as Onuachu has been a key figure in their attack, helping them stay in contention for safety.

Just three minutes after Onuachu’s departure, Southampton’s defense was caught off guard. Jefferson Lerma whipped in a cross from the left, and the young Brazilian Matheus França, who had been left unmarked in the box, was able to guide his header past Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, scoring his first goal of the season and securing a point for Crystal Palace. It was a bitter disappointment for Southampton, as the goal came so late in the game, leaving them with only a single point from what could have been a vital win.

Onuachu’s return to form under Juric has been one of the few positives for Southampton in recent weeks. After enduring a difficult start to 2024, which included a lengthy goal drought, the Nigerian striker has now scored four goals since Juric’s arrival, providing a ray of hope in the team’s relegation battle. However, with only eight Premier League games remaining, Southampton finds itself seven points behind 19th-placed Leicester City, putting them in a precarious position. Unless a miracle occurs, the Saints are on the brink of relegation to the EFL Championship, and their struggle to avoid finishing among the worst teams in Premier League history is becoming an unfortunate reality.