Southampton 0-1 Burnley: Sam Vokes ends Saints' unbeaten run as Nick Pope continues fine form

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Sam Vokes came off the bench to earn a stubborn Burnley side a third away victory of the campaign against struggling Southampton at St Mary's.

The Clarets, who were also indebted to goalkeeper Nick Pope's excellent performance, struck with just eight minutes remaining as Vokes expertly turned home Johann Berg Gudmundsson's pinpoint cross to send the travelling supporters into raptures behind the goal.

Pope, a former Charlton Athletic youngster, made a string of fine saves, denying Nathan Redmond on three different occasions on a blustery afternoon on the south coast. 

Sam Vokes scored his third Premier League goal of the season on Saturday as Burnley beat Southampton 1-0 at St Mary's

Vokes struck in the 81st minute after entering the action as a substitute in place of star summer signing Chris Wood

Striker Vokes headed home from the penalty spot after a fine cross from Clarets midfielder Johann Berg Gudmundsson

The goal came from Burnley's only shot on target, with Saints keeper Fraser Forster well beaten despite a determined dive

Forster's opposite number, Nick Pope, was Burnley's star man, making three impressive saves to keep Southampton at bay

MATCH FACTS AND PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE 

Southampton (4-2-3-1): Forster; Cedric, Van Dijk, Yosida, Bertrand; Davis, Romeu; Boufal (Ward-Prowse 90), Tadic (Long 76), Redmond; Gabbiadini (Austin 65)

Subs not used: Hojbjerg, Hoedt, McQueen, McCarthy 

Burnley (4-4-1-1): Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Gudmundsson, Defour, Cork, Brady; Hendrick (Barnes 65); Wood (Vokes 65)

Subs not used: Arfield, Lindegaard, Long, Westwood, Barnes, Bardsley

Scorers: Vokes 81 

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Sam Vokes scored the only goal of the game with a header from 12 yards to finish off a six-pass move from Burnley

Midfielder Jack Cork impressed on his return to Southampton, touching the ball 59 times - more than any other Burnley player

For stats and graphs visit the brilliant Match Zone.

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Redmond, who was thrust back in from the start by manager Mauricio Pellegrino after missing out against Brighton last week, was the Saints' most obvious threat during a first half lacking clear-cut opportunities.

The England under-21 international created the first half chance, bursting into Burnley territory before blasting high over the cross bar.

Redmond then turned provider picking out an unmarked Sofiane Boufal at the back post, only for the Morocco international to volley straight at Pope.

More stoic Burnley defending denied Ryan Bertrand with James Tarkowski throwing himself brilliantly in the way of the left-back's powerful low drive.

The attention soon reverted back to Redmond, whose endeavour was almost rewarded just before the break but Pope was on hand to expertly turn away his goal-bound effort to keep the scores level.

Southampton's dominance continued early into the second half with Cedric's right-wing cross met by Gabbiadini, but the Italian failed to trouble the unshakeable Pope.

Bertrand was proving a valuable outlet and the England international linked well with Redmond to force a succession of corners.

But the Saints couldn't by-pass Pope, who pulled off another terrific one-handed save to keep out Maya Yoshida's dipping volley from the edge of the box. 

Burnley's Wood, back in the team after missing last week's loss at Man City, battled with Saints' Maya Yoshida (right)

Clarets defender Ben Mee was strong in the air as he emphatically beat Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini to a header

Nathan Redmond (left) was one of the Saints' brightest players but the hosts struggled against an organised Burnley backline

Winger Redmond came close with a decent effort in the first half but he was denied by in-form Burnley goalkeeper Pope

Oriol Romeu (left) and Jeff Hendrick went toe-to-toe in the centre of midfield during a tight battle on the south coast

Southampton were relentless but equally just as wasteful. Captain Steven Davis volleyed high over the cross bar when well placed as Pellegrino's side pressed by a decisive breakthrough.

The Argentine head coach threw on Charlie Austin with half an hour to go, withdrawing the ineffective Gabbiadini to the ironic cheers of the home support.

Austin ,who was yet to fully announce himself in a Southampton shirt since his arrival at St Mary's in 2016, instantly gave the crowd a much-needed boost winning a meaty 50/50 challenge with Tarkowski.

Inevitably though, the Saints' wastefulness left them vulnerable to the counter attack with substitute pairing Vokes and Ashley Barnes forcing a shift in momentum.

Sean Dyche's inspired double change paid dividends with just eight minutes remaining at St Mary's with Vokes accurately nodding beyond the clutches of Fraser Forster.

Gudmundsson cut in brilliantly from the right-hand side before delivering the perfect cross for Vokes, who alluded the attentions of Yoshida to guide his header into the back of the net.

'It's a fantastic goal,' Dyche admitted. 'It's absolutely top drawer to be able to head a ball into the goal against that keeper from 12 yards. It's a fantastic header.

'The way they changed the feel of the game, both centre forwards. I thought they were terrific.' 

Burnley midfielder Gudmundsson grabbed hold of Sofiane Boufal's shirt as the pair jostled for position in the first half

Gudmundsson put his hands on his hips and wore a frustrated look on his face after missing a chance for Burnley

Boufal connected sweetly with a shot but Burnley had numbers behind the ball and were able to clear their lines

Burnley's travelling supporters were thrilled as they watched their side record their fourth away win in all competitions

Sean Dyche applauded the Burnley following, while Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino looked on despondently behind him

Southampton's players also looked dejected following the final whistle as they dropped to 13th in the Premier League table

Southampton pressed for a late equaliser with the excellent Tarkowski again throwing himself in the way of Austin's ferocious strike.

A late flurry of crosses with dealt with expertly as Burnley held on to secure a third away victory of the season and condemn Southampton to another frustrating defeat in front of their own supporters.

After the game, Dyche insisted speculation linking him with the vacant Everton job 'is out of his hands'.

'These stories that come round, they're out of my hands,' said Dyche. 'I just keep getting on with my business as I have been doing for five years during numerous spells when I've been linked with different situations.

'I just continue to see it clearly and that's to continue to work hard at what I do.' 

He added: 'My story is the Burnley story. I'm really pleased there's a lot of work that goes in on the training pitch from my staff and from the players.

'I'd sensed by that point that the game had levelled out a bit.

'My staff were terrific and they said 'look, I think it's right we change to two up front' and I thought it worked a treat.'