Theo Walcott scored his first goal since returning to Southampton in Monday’s 1–1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Ralph Hasenhuttl saw additional innovations from Everton’s lender, as he told the Saints website.
Dexter Blackstock and Brett Omerod were his strike teammates the last time Walcott hit the back of the Saints in a 4-3 win in the third round of the FA Cup over MK Dons in January 2006.
Then you can see why his interference at the post in an honorable 1-1 draw at Molineux meant so much to Southampton’s prodigal son.
Walcott gave Hasenhuttl’s-shaped team the edge at the beginning of the era after Nelson Semedo interrupted a Che Adams center, but in truth he put the game beyond the Wolves moments later.
Arsenal’s former sprinter has tended to waste presentable opportunities and there was something unfortunately familiar about the way he slid a wide shot when he was one by one with Rui Patrick.
Southampton also paid for his position in the most sensible 4 as Pedro Neto took full credit for Walcott’s waste at the other end.
“I’m very proud of my team today,” Hasenhuttl said full-time. “I think it’s one of our most productive games this season, it’s very difficult. A very tough fight, we knew that. “
“If Theo makes the moment, maybe it gives us a chance to win. But we couldn’t finish it and in the end I think it’s a deserved point. A draw is appropriate for both teams.
“Theo invests a lot in our team. He’s very smart to oppose the ball, he closes, but his ending may be better. It’s not perfect. But I like the way he works for the team and that’s smart. “
While Walcott had a combined night in front of the goal, Alex McCarthy was back in animated form at the other end.
The Southampton goalkeeper is one of the league’s most reliable stoppers at the moment and made a series of very good reflex stops at Molineux, denying Semedo and Leander Dendoncker a remarkable double stop from the start.
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