Super Saints jump to third after United win

THERE were plenty of punters willing to put their shirt on Southampton to be relegated in the summer, but it’s the Champions League rather than the Championship which is on the mind of Ronald Koeman’s squad after a stunning 1-0 win at Manchester United.

Substitute Dusan Tadic scored the only goal as Saints leapfrogged United into third place in the Premier League and Koeman’s outfit are just 7-4 from 3-1 to finish in the top four.

Southampton had been 80-1 shots to finish in the Champions League qualification places at the start of the season, with some firms going as short as 7-2 about them being relegated following a host of summer departures including manager Mauricio Pochettino.

However, Koeman has done a fine job in the hotseat and two of his new recruits combined to land the Old Trafford triumph, which underlined Southampton’s top-four credentials.

Target-man Graziano Pelle hit the post in the second half but Tadic expertly turned the rebound into the net before keeping United at bay in the latter stages.

It was a poor performance from the hosts, who have been shoved out to 1-2 to claim a Champions League spot.

Louis van Gaal’s men had looked like claiming a place in the coveted top four just before Christmas but one win in five league matches has seen them slip two points behind Southampton and only one point ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal.

The Gunners had earlier narrowed the gap on United with a comfortable 3-0 success over Stoke which was their 13th straight home win against the Potters.

Arsenal, who are 8-15 to fill their customary place in the Champions League places, were in cruise control from the moment Laurent Koscielny broke the deadlock early on.

Alexis Sanchez added two further goals, taking his Premier League tally to 12, and the on-fire Chilean is 9-1 to win the Golden Boot.

Sanchez trails Chelsea’s Diego Costa by three in a fascinating heat where 14-goal Sergio Aguero and 13-goal Charlie Austin are in contention.

The only sour note was an injury to Mathieu Debuchy, who dislocated his shoulder, but Arsenal kept a clean sheet and goalkeeper David Ospina is 1-2 with Ladbrokes to retain his place for Sunday’s mouthwatering clash at Manchester City.

City, two points behind leaders Chelsea, have agreed a fee with Swansea for striker Wilfried Bony.

The Ivorian is 5-1 with bet365 to win the Golden Boot at the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts on Saturday.