PREMIER PAST: Top Five Moments
Le Tissier's last great goal
GROUNDThe Dell |
DATE19th May 2001 |
ATTENDANCE15,252 |
SCORESouthampton 3, Arsenal 2 |
In 2001 Southampton announced that they would be leaving their ground at The Dell and building a brand new 32,000-seater stadium six miles down the road at St Mary's. This brought an end to 103-years of football at a ground that gave Southampton a real advantage because of its fearsome atmosphere.
The last match to ever be played at The Dell was against Arsenal in May 2001. With 17 minutes left the game was level at 2-2. With nothing to lose, the Saints' manager sent on Matthew Le Tissier, who had been injured for most of the season and was badly short of fitness. He was also due to retire after the match, so in most people's eyes this was simply a chance for the supporters to say goodbye to a loyal player who had spent his whole career at Southampton.
But Le Tissier had other ideas. In the 89th minute he pulled down a right-wing cross in mid-air, swivelled and in the same movement let fly with a half-volleyed rocket of a shot from 15 metres. Arsenal Goalkeeper Alex Manninger stood no chance, and the ground erupted with excitement. Southampton won their last game at the Dell because of a wonder goal by Matt Le Tissier in the last minute - it could have been written in Hollywood!