Viewers of the clash between Southampton and Tottenham have taken to social media in numbers this evening to highlight James Ward-Prowse’s celebration, after the Saints’ midfielder netted the game’s winning goal.
Southampton vs Tottenham
Southampton welcomed Spurs to St. Mary’s a short time ago, for a Premier League clash.
The hosts headed into proceedings on the back of just a solitary win from their last 6 league outings, a run which left Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men just 2 points clear of the relegation zone ahead of kick-off this afternoon.
Tottenham, meanwhile, secured their advancement to the quarter-finals of the Champions League during the week, after putting Borussia Dortmund to the sword by a goal to nil to seal a hugely-impressive 4-0 aggregate victory.
The North Londoners, though, were winless across their last 3 Premier League fixtures before today.
Southampton turn it around
And Spurs’ recent struggles on the domestic front showed no sign of slowing this afternoon, as Mauricio Pochettino’s men fell to a potentially-crucial 2-1 defeat.
The capital giants actually took the lead in the clash, when Harry Kane found the net with 26 minutes on the clock.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 09: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium on March 09, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
However, Southampton emerged following the interval reinvigorated, before deservedly bagging an equaliser through Yan Valery 15 minutes from time.
And, incredibly, after Kyle Walker-Peters was lucky not to have been given his marching orders for a last-ditch challenge on the edge of the Tottenham box, James Ward-Prowse stepped up to bend the ensuing free-kick beyond the reach of Hugo Lloris in absolutely sumptuous style, in the process securing all 3 points for the hosts.
4 – Only Matt Le Tissier (7) has scored more direct free-kick goals for Southampton in the Premier League than James Ward-Prowse (4). Stunning.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 9, 2019
Ward-Prowse channels his inner Ronaldo
Ward-Prowse’s subsequent celebration on the back of his stunning match-winning strike, meanwhile, has since been the talk of social media.
The Saints’ standout, who’s goal this afternoon came as his second from a set-piece in as many matches, sprinted towards the corner flag, before jumping in the air, rotating, and landing with his back to the crowd, in the fashion of Portuguese legend and 5-time Ballon D’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
🐐🐐 @Prowsey16 🐐🐐 #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/DQOrJDd4zj
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) March 9, 2019
And viewers of the clash certainly appeared to enjoy Ward-Prowse’s Ronaldo tribute, as showcased by the reaction across social media since:
Ward-prowse doing ronaldo’s celebration is so fulfilling
— mαturє gαmвínσ (@ohenzyko) March 9, 2019
James Ward-Prowse channelling his inner peak Cristiano Ronaldo, blasting the freekick in the top corner, and then doing the trademark CR7 celebration. Legends only.
— CHIEF (@ChiefPunter) March 9, 2019
Ward Prowse..scoring back to back Free kicks. He earned that Ronaldo celebration
— david ❇♣ (@jst_dubem) March 9, 2019
James Ward Prowse did a C. Ronaldo trademark celebration
— nazifi (@nazif_ningi) March 9, 2019
Ward Prowse did a Ronaldo Siu celebration there. Master’s recognition.
— QUATTRO (@Alamin__MS) March 9, 2019
love how Ward-Prowse did the Ronaldo celebration SIIIIUUU
— standoffish naïvegatari¹³ (@AkiyukiTakehara) March 9, 2019
Ward-Prowse >/= Ronaldo
— Albert Ireeta (@aireeta) March 9, 2019
Ward Prowse celebrating like Ronaldo unreal
— Akan (@Etuk11) March 9, 2019
Ward-Prowse channels his inner Ronaldo with that free kick and celebration. Highlight of the weekend. What a hit
— Michael Adams (@_boneflex_) March 9, 2019
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