Southampton have eased to a comfortable 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League this afternoon.
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The visitors came close to taking the lead just a few minutes in when Toby Alderweireld almost caught out Julian Speroni with a looping ball into the box, but the crossbar spared the Palace keeper.
The home side started to see more of the ball, and had a chance to break the deadlock when Jason Puncheon tried to force the ball in with a powerful 20-yard effort, but Fraser Forster was on hand to make the save.
The Saints did take the lead when Sadio Mane teamed up with James Ward-Prowse, leaving the former to round Speroni before slotting into an empty net.
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Mile Jedinak tried to get the hosts back on level terms before the break, but the Australian's scuffed finish left Forster with an easy save.
The visitors needed just a couple of minutes after the restart to double their advantage as Mane sprinted down the right flank before crossing in towards Graziano Pelle, but it was Ryan Bertrand who got the final touch, smashing it into the back of the net from close range.
Ronald Koeman's side soon made it three as Ward-Prowse crossed the ball in for Alderweireld to head past Speroni, seemingly putting the win beyond doubt.
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Mane could have increased Southampton's lead further with 20 minutes to play when he rounded a couple of defenders before trying to curl toward the goal from 25 yards out, but his finish was just wide.
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The home side got a consolation late on though when Scott Dann pounced at the back post to head in from a Jedinak ball into the box.
The result moves Southampton up to fourth in the table, while Palace drop into the relegation zone.
Sian Cowper
