Boxing Day Gains For Southampton

St Mary's Stadium saw Saints return to winning ways with a performance that said we are back on form.

Two Guly do Prado goals saw us beat a disappointing Crystal Palace 2-0. The win was fairly comfortable though we were made to work hard by a determined Palace rearguard action.

West Ham drop two points after drawing 1-1 with Birmingham. The Hammers scored early and dominated large parts of the first half. Failure to net the second eventually costing them dear as Birmingham managed a late equaliser.

Cardiff also dropped two points as they could only manage to draw 1-1 at Watford. It could and maybe should have been worse for them as their goal came courtesy of Watford's Mariappa in the 80th minute.

Leeds drop away from the top six after losing to a Derby goal from Ward. Derby seem to be over their poor run now and have started picking up points again.

Leicester could only draw at home to Ipswich who also missed chances to make the game safe, before giving the home side a penalty in the 69th minute.

Reading and Blackpool both had good wins which helped them close the gap to the top six places. Reading winning 3-0 at home to Brighton, and Blackpool winning 3-1 at Barnsley.

Reading have been on a remarkably strong run lately and look more than capable of having a big say in the final positions at the end of the season.

Middlesbrough beat fellow top six rivals Hull City 1-0 thanks to an 87th minute strike from Robson. This moves them up to second three points behind us and one point ahead of the 'Hammers'.

All in all not a bad days results for us as it keeps us at the top and gives us a little leeway should we fail to win a game.

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