Ralph Hasenhüttl called on Southampton to continue giving their season-ticket holders a free beer after Sunday’s experiment, designed to create a festive atmosphere at St Mary’s, was followed by the 3-2 victory over Arsenal that hauled the team out of the relegation zone.
The win had a little more to do with Hasenhüttl’s methods swiftly bearing fruit and fine headers from Danny Ings (two) and Charlie Austin than complimentary Carlsberg, but a team who had not won since the start of September needed all the help they could get.
“I don’t drink beer that often but this was a first perfect step to help us,” Hasenhüttl said. “I heard when it works like this, you have to do it every game at home – we’ll see.”
That might get a little expensive but the atmosphere in the ground was certainly more positive than it was for the last few grim months under Mark Hughes.
Hasenhüttl charged on to the pitch in celebration at the end and his exuberance was understandable. “This is what I want to feel after coming to the Premier League,” the manager said later. “This atmosphere after the game, to celebrate with this atmosphere, this is what I was expecting to get here. The team was working on the pitch like a team has to do. We are still in the situation not to be relegated, but this is a very important first step.”
Unai Emery believed Arsenal played well and although he was not panicking after a first defeat in any competition since the second game of the season, he is aware they cannot afford to drop many more points. “We know it’s not easy because the other teams have a high level,” he said. “After 22 matches unbeaten, we [only] are fifth.”