Stoke City 1-1 Southampton - Stoke Fail To Take Advantage Of A Bizarre Begovic Opener

A 13 second goal from Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was the main talking point of a tough midfield battle at the Britannia Stadium - in a game where the conditions did not help either side. Saints forward Jay Rodriguez headed home the equaliser just before half-time in a game that will only be remembered for its opening. The match started in the most bizarre set of circumstances. The ball found its way to Begovic who was forced to clear first-time under pressure from Lambert - and with the windy conditions at The Britannia - Artur Boruc who has been in fine form this season, found the ball floating over his head to the Pole's dismay. With a goal time of 13 seconds, it was the 7th fastest goal in Premier League history (and of them, likely the most infamous), and made Begovic Stoke's joint top scorer this season so far. The strangeness of the circumstances seemed to rattle Southampton, and Stoke seemed to be keen to give the Saints a taste of their own medicine that they had been inflicting on other teams this season - pressing Pochettino's men high up the pitch and playing the kind of football new boss Mark Hughes was keen to And that pressure won Stoke a corner from nothing - which resulted in a brilliant chance for Shawcross - unmarked 6 yards out, he never got the required contact on his volley which deflected off his standing leg and tamely out for a goal-kick. Southampton did soon find their composure and came close to equalising through Dejan Lovren. A James Ward-Prowse corner caused problems for Begovic in the windy conditions, but the Croatian headed wide - like Shawcross - should of hit the target. Another Ward-Prowse cross (which is becoming a trademark of the 19-year-old) again caused problems amongst the Stoke ranks but no-one was able to get a deceive touch. Southampton did equalise soon after, a smart interchange down the right-hand side resulted with a deep, floating cross from Ward-Prowse which found Jay Rodriguez unmarked at whose downward header bounced over the stranded Begovic into the far corner, just before the stroke of half-time. The game resumed with Stoke creating a great chance to re-take the lead, Steven Ireland finding Marko Arnautovic who had got in-behind Luke Shaw - the Austrian's powerful shot was parried with a brilliant reflex stop by Boruc - who showed thick-skin to remain unfazed after the freak start. Ward-Prowse came close next, Morgan Schneiderlin was chopped down on the edge of the box, but the youngster curled his free-kick inches over the bar although Begovic appeared to have it covered. Southampton did have two penalty claims, both Pieters and Shawcross handled in the area but Chris Foy waved away the Saints protests. There was a late chance for both teams, first Victor Wanyama failing to control a short goal-kick however Steven N'Zonzi was wasteful - dragging a tame shot past Boruc's goal. Then a combination of Begovic and the off-side flag prevented a last-minute winner from substitute Gastón Ramírez. It was a hard-earned point for both sides - the two managers will be satisfied in what was a very tight game. Southampton remain in 5th for the time being whilst Stoke climb a place to 16th.