KAMALDEEN Sulemana ended a 37-game goal drought and Tyler Dibling scored twice as Saints beat Swansea 3-0 in the FA Cup third round.
Club-record signing Kamaldeen found the net for the first time since May 2023 to set up a first win as boss for new Saints manager Ivan Juric.
Dibling, 18, benefited from a Kamaldeen assist to claim the second before adding another to finish off the opposition sitting mid-table in the Championship.
Here is how we rated the performances of each player...
Tyler Dibling netted twice against the Swans (Image: Richard Crease)
Starters
Aaron Ramsdale - 7
Only had one save to make and it came right at the end of the match but he made it well to preserve his clean sheet. One or two moments of lax distribution but largely reliable between the sticks on a comfortable afternoon.
Kyle Walker-Peters - 7
Had a couple of big chances to score in the first half and probably should have done better, blazing one over and hitting the other at the goalkeeper. Credit for getting into dangerous areas and stretching the Swansea defence. Not amazing defensively but not rigorously tested.
James Bree - 6
Took a bit of time to get into the game, operating on the right of a back three and played safe throughout. Easy afternoon defensively and a cautious approach resulted in a 93 per cent pass success rate. Covered the space behind Walker-Peters well.
Jan Bednarek - 7
Solid as needed and hopefully should be fine despite coming off. Typical Bednarek performance in that he attempted 32 passes and completed 31, with the only unsuccessful attempt being a long ball. Had a big chance to score at the back post but saw his header saved.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 7
Playing on the left of defence for the first time with Bree flanking Bednarek to his right. Adjusted well and completed the most passes of any player, and the most into the final third. Not tested defensively but ranked high for recoveries, interceptions and clearances.
Ryan Manning - 8
Manning made his first start under Juric and should keep his place based on the performance, setting up Dibling for the third goal on the evening and delivering a brilliant corner to Bednarek which was well saved. Pressed high and was aggressive throughout.
Lesley Ugochukwu - 8
Probably one of his better performances in a midfield pairing that completely failed against Brentford. Involved throughout. Lept well to head on the ball for Kamaldeen's opener and was a key player in the build-up for the second, unleashing the Ghanian down the left.
Joe Aribo - 7
Slow start to his performance but similarly involved to Ugochukwu throughout, just without the moments in the final third. Against poor opposition, Aribo was key in the build-up and good against the ball, making the most recoveries of anyone in the match.
Mateus Fernandes - 7
The Portuguese probably wants to add more goals and assists to his game but it's the work he does between the two thirds that makes him continually stand out. Had a hand in the build-up for at least one of the goals and set up Archer for a really good chance late in the affair.
Tyler Dibling - 8
Asked if this was one of his better games, he responded: "Not really, I just scored two tap-ins." Fair enough, but you have got to be there to put them away. Good determination with the second one and did his bit. Otherwise, didn't get into the game with just 17 touches.
Kamaldeen Sulemana - 9
Very impressive performance and deserved his first goal for the club since May 2023. Was the brightest player from the start, working hard to steal back possession and worry the Swansea defence. Brilliant lobbed finish for his goal and perfect ball across for his assist.
Substitutes
Will Smallbone made his long-awaited return to the pitch (Image: Richard Crease)
Will Smallbone - 5
Came on in the 67th minute for first appearance since October and only second since August. Looked like he is still getting up to speed. Gave the ball away in a dangerous position after coming on, from which Joe Allen hit the post, but it was a testing pass from Ramsdale.
Adam Armstrong - 6
Came on in the 67th minute and had a couple of moments where he was involved. Saw a decent chance well saved after Manning had won back possession late on. Great touch and run to create another shooting opportunity, which he pulled just wide of the far post.
Cameron Archer - 5
Came on in the 67th minute. Should have scored but attempted to round the keeper and ended up creating a tighter angle for his shot, which was saved. Got stuck in and kept the intensity up the top end of the pitch with good success in deals and tackles.
Nathan Wood - 6
Came on in the 73rd minute and was fairly solid and reliable with no standout moments but got statistics in duels and pass completion, boasting 100 per cent and 91 per cent respectively. Has probably been unlucky to lose his place under new boss Juric.
Adam Lallana - N/A
Introduced in the 86th minute and had just six touches so difficult to grade. All six resulted in a pass attempt, of which four have been scored successful.
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