Press Association report

Southampton proved that their stunning victory over Manchester United was no flash in the pan when they burst Liverpool's title bubble today.

Southampton had not won in their previous 15 trips to Anfield and had managed only one previous success on this ground in 28 games.

But from the moment they grabbed the lead through an early David Hirst penalty, their resilience and ambition grew by the minute.

Liverpool were poor - they lacked guile and creativity in midfield and toiled against a Saints defence that stood up magnificently to the onslaught that eventually came in the second period.

Goalkeeper Paul Jones, the man who virtually single-handedly denied United, was once again outstanding.

The fact that Michael Owen celebrated his call-up for England with two goals was scant consolation for Liverpool, who saw an eight-match unbeaten run come to an end.

Southampton survived the barrage, and caught Liverpool cold with two counter punches in the dying minutes.

Southampton's intentions to give Liverpool a battle were clear from the start. They were swiftly into tackles and worried Liverpool's back-line with their pace.

Saints almost scored inside two minutes when David James fumbled a close range Kevin Davies header, David Hirst and Michael Owen could both have scored in the following minutes, but it was Liverpool who were dramatically behind after eight minutes.

Referee Jeff Winter excellently played advantage after Steve Harkness cut down David Hughes as he released Matthew Oakley. Oakley raced into the box, pushed the ball past James, and was sent spinning to the floor by the keeper, who was lucky only to get booked.

Hirst crashed home the penalty past James, but only after several minutes as both Hughes and Oakley received lengthy treatment.

Saints' keeper Jones was at his best after ten minutes when Robbie Fowler met Owen's cross with great power just six yards out, the Welshman making a stunning reflex save.

It was all high speed stuff, and Liverpool were level after 25 minutes when Rob Jones' cross from the right caused panic in the Southampton defence.

Oyvind Leonhardsen had one chance to finish the move, but as the ball broke off Jason Dodd in the six-yard box, Owen lashed it into the roof of the net.

Fowler stupidly got himself booked after 31 minutes when he knelt down in front of a Southampton free-kick to tie his bootlaces!

Liverpool were rarely allowed a clear chance, although Paul Ince saw one long-range shot deflect off a defender, but Jones was still sharp enough to save to his right.

Then after 37 minutes, Ince clipped the ball into Owen's path. He tried to chip Jones, but the 'keeper reached up to touch the ball into the air and then catch it as it fell.

Southampton lost Davies with a recurrence of his leg strain, Egil Ostenstad took his place up front, and Claus Lundekvam was later carried off to be replaced by Richard Dryden.

It did little to dampen Southampton's desire to mix it and Liverpool boss Roy Evans brought on Patrik Berger and Danny Murphy for Leonhardsen and Jamie Carragher.

But only a McManaman pass that sent Fowler in for a half chance that Jones smothered, and then a surging run from McManaman that produced a blistering shot over the angle, threatened to break Southampton down.

Jones was outstanding. He dived at Owen's feet to clutch the ball away and then hurled himself to fingertip away a searing 20-yard drive from Murphy. Six minutes from time the roof fell in on Liverpool.

They were caught hopelessly outnumbered on the break. Hirst flicked the ball into Ostenstad's path, and the Norwegian raced away to crack the ball past James.

A minute from time, Saints grabbed their third when Ostenstad repaid the favour, sending Hirst in to belt in the third.

The fact that Owen headed home his and Liverpool's second deep into injury time did nothing to lift the gloom.

Liverpool: James, Jones, Matteo, Babb, Harkness, McManaman, Ince, Carragher (Murphy, 58), Leonhardsen (Berger, 58), Fowler, Owen.

Subs not used: Kvarme, Riedle, Warner

Booked: James, Fowler.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Todd, Monkou, Lundekvam (Dryden, 49), Oakley (Williams, 15), Beresford, Davies (Ostenstad, 39), Richardson, Hughes, Hirst.

Subs not used: Le Tissier, Moss.

Booked: Monkou, Hughes.

Attendance: 43,550.

Referee: J T Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).

Copyright - Press Association