Saints 2-1 Arsenal - Match Thread

[Colinjb]

Wow. So proud of the club, the team, the fans at St Mary's tonight. 

Everything was right tonight. I'm speechless.

[ButtikonSaint]

Are you kidding me? What the hell was that? Are we Real Madrid ?
WHAT A GAME !! WHAT A WIN !! WHAT A TEAM !!

Players 10/10
Tonda 11/10
Supporters 12/10

Absolutely brilliant - COYS

[fez]

Don’t want West Ham / Leeds in the semi   Let’s smash Chelsea at Wembley then Man City 

[Harry_SFC]

Amazing how last season when we were supposedly a premier league team we looked 100 times worse than we did tonight as a championship side battling for the play offs. 

[Hawkswood]

Thought fellows had a strong game. Pleased for him

[trousers]

Just watching the Tonda post match BBC interview...love that he's showing almost zero emotion! It's like he's just beaten Oxford rather than the champions elect!

[Saint_clark]

Just now, fez said:

Don’t want West Ham / Leeds in the semi   Let’s smash Chelsea at Wembley then Man City 

City will rip us apart if we get them. Need to avoid them at all costs and hope someone else knocks them out in the semi - I fancy us against literally everyone else.

[Turkish]

That has to be one of the best atmospheres ever at st Mary’s, after the second goal it sounded incredible, all the commentators spoke about it as well

[Saint_clark]

Just now, trousers said:

Just watching the Tonda post match BBC interview...love that he's showing almost zero emotion! It's like he's just beaten Oxford rather than the champions elect!

He looks like a lizard person in human skin.

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, Hawkswood said:

Thought fellows had a strong game. Pleased for him

He put a couple of lovely crosses in, looked lively and did well, apart from his shooting 

[trousers]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

Just watching the Tonda post match BBC interview...love that he's showing almost zero emotion! It's like he's just beaten Oxford rather than the champions elect!

BBC: "are you looking forward to going to Wembley?"

Tonda: "Yes, hopefully more than once this year"

🙂

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, Saint_clark said:

He looks like a lizard person in human skin.

Convinced he was Hitlers right hand man in a past life 

[RedArmy]

Be interesting to see how well we sell this semi final. The last one we got to with fans we couldn’t sell out and there were blocks of empty seats. 

[saint francis]

Very proud of the performance and delivering an unbelievable result.  We may have struck gold with Tonda.

[Saint_clark]

Just now, RedArmy said:

Be interesting to see how well we sell this semi final. The last one we got to with fans we couldn’t sell out and there were blocks of empty seats. 

Really? V Chelsea under Sparky? I don't remember seeing empty seats.

[Midfield_General]

Absolutely outstanding. So proud of every one of them. Went toe to toe with one of the best teams in the world and deserved to beat them.

Magnificent 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

I'll admit I didn't go this evening as I thought we wouldn't stand a chance. Fuckin so gutted and ashamed that I thought that. I feel connected and proud of the club now, whatever happens this season.

[saintant]

Take a fucking bow Tonda. You've masterminded another even more stunning victory tonight and it was well deserved. We now have our football team back and we look capable of mixing it with any side. What a performance and every player was superb. Shout out to Fellows who should have scored but gave Arsenal an uncomfortable night down his wing. Lovely cool finishes from both Stewart and Charles. Hoping for the winner of tomorrow's quarter final. Well set up for Wrexham now and Tonda will have them back down to earth for another massive game. Well played boys!!!!

[Gloucester Saint]

4 minutes ago, Hawkswood said:

Thought fellows had a strong game. Pleased for him

He did but should have scored, THB just said the same.

[trousers]

Interesting to hear THB praising Azaz when he was getting a bit of flack during the game on here

[Micky]

Stunning, just stunning. 

[Saint_clark]

Bollocks, just realised I'm in Gran Canaria for the semi final. 

[RedArmy]

1 minute ago, Saint_clark said:

Really? V Chelsea under Sparky? I don't remember seeing empty seats.

There’s was a good 3 or 4 empty blocks in the bottom tier to the left of the goal. 

[stknowle]

Nights like this make all the pain worthwhile. We played SOOOO fucking well and could/should’ve won by more. We’ve got some excellent players who if we do go up will give us a chance of staying there. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

On 03/04/2026 at 13:01, Willo of Whiteley said:

Convinced we’ll win tomorrow 

The Arsenal end of season implosion has begun!

Called it lads

12 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

2-1

Called it again

😉

[egg]

1 minute ago, Saint_clark said:

Really? V Chelsea under Sparky? I don't remember seeing empty seats.

There were loads empty around me. 

[saintant]

1 hour ago, SNSUN said:

Azaz not having one of his better games so far. 

You're joking!

[do i not like fizzy pop]

That was a beautiful performance!

I'll admit when they equalised I feared it was only a matter of time, but we're off to Wembley 

[SaintJakko]

That one made me quite emotional. We played as a team with passion and a plan.
 

The whole day felt special leading up to this, being the anniversary, the turn around of this team, Easter spirits and a sense of belief after this sensational run we’ve gone on.

Beating the best team in England. You could hear the pride in everyone of those fans voices. Stadium was rocking. 
 

So proud.  

[stknowle]

3 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Really? V Chelsea under Sparky? I don't remember seeing empty seats.

There def were empty seats, and quite a lot oc them. Suspect it’ll be different this time.

[Saint_clark]

1 minute ago, RedArmy said:

There’s was a good 3 or 4 empty blocks in the bottom tier to the left of the goal. 

 

Just now, egg said:

There were loads empty around me. 

Well bugger me. Was crammed where I was. Proves they shouldn't be at Wembley though really. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Even at 1-1, heading towards extra time, I was just so pleased with everyone's performance.

To get the winner was just special. Another cool, calm Charles finish. 

But everyone deserves credit. Dowman was their big threat early on. Manning handled him really well, and showed lots of composure after his yellow.

Wood and THB strong in the middle, and both capable of staring our counters.

Bree with a usual solid Bree performance whoever he's up against.

All in front of the so,I'd, confidence giving Peretz.

I was worried we'd miss the bite of Downes. But Jander filled that role very well. We tried to be more direct, but both he and Bragg still had a lot of work, breaking things up, offering outlets and getting it out wide. Bragg did all of that really well. Top \erforman e from him.

Leo will be annoyed at not taking his chances. It would have been great to see his curling effort go in, rather than rattle the bar. He gave White, who bafflingly avoided a yellow, a torrid time.

Matsuki was missing. But Fellows is no stand in. We got to see the quality he brings, and balance to the side. He was another one who really worried the Arsenal defence.

Azaz, like Bragg, was there supporting everyone else. In other games, the ball would fall to him. Tonight, we were using other players and counting on him stopping them further up.

Super goal from Ross. He looked delighted to be back and looking forward to Wembley. Arsenal hated dealing with him. They couldn't double up as Azaz was there lurking, and Leo would exploit the space.

Larin didn't get much to to, but his hold up proved to be really important. Edozie was quiet, but was pinning them back on that side. They knew he'd be a threat on any counter.

Massive credit to Tonda. He stuck to his plan. Looking ahead, he took Ross and Leo off. He identified the Arsenal weakness and explored it. And he's given everyone minutes since the start. No one is rusty coming off the bench. Everyone knows what's required.

A top performance.

[RedArmy]

Just now, Saint_clark said:

 

Well bugger me. Was crammed where I was. Proves they shouldn't be at Wembley though really. 
 

to be fair maybe not completely empty but I remember moving round there because it was in the sunshine and there was hardly anybody round there. 

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Bollocks, just realised I'm in Gran Canaria for the semi final. 

Cancel!

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Was at the game with my son. 

Saints played superbly. Tactics were spot on and every player put a shift in.

Love seeing goals for Saints on the counter attack. 

Atmosphere was great with all sides contributing. 

Leo Scienza had White for breakfast today!

[LGTL]

Saints were outstanding, what a fucking night. Roll on Wembley 

[The Kraken]

7 minutes ago, trousers said:

Just watching the Tonda post match BBC interview...love that he's showing almost zero emotion! It's like he's just beaten Oxford rather than the champions elect!

I watched the one on TNT as BBC switched to iplayer. Tonka seemed like he was pissed off just being asked questions.

[Saint_clark]

Just now, trousers said:

Cancel!

Seriously considering flying back to London for the day. 

[Crab Lungs]

Glad I bet on them to win, I had a feeling we’d do it. Something about this season and this team.

Amazing stuff. No hangover at Wrexham please.

Cant help but think we missed Bazunu’s distribution this evening though. 

[sadoldgit]

A great all round team performance today but a special shout out to Tonda who has done a terrific job since he took over.

[Toadhall Saint]

Good interview with THB very honest and refreshing.

[OneMrsWallace]

5 minutes ago, saintant said:

Take a fucking bow Tonda. You've masterminded another even more stunning victory tonight and it was well deserved. We now have our football team back and we look capable of mixing it with any side. What a performance and every player was superb. Shout out to Fellows who should have scored but gave Arsenal an uncomfortable night down his wing. Lovely cool finishes from both Stewart and Charles. Hoping for the winner of tomorrow's quarter final. Well set up for Wrexham now and Tonda will have them back down to earth for another massive game. Well played boys!!!!

I've gone from 'is TE good enough' to 'can we keep hold of him' 😅

[skintsaint]

[egg]

2 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Even at 1-1, heading towards extra time, I was just so pleased with everyone's performance.

To get the winner was just special. Another cool, calm Charles finish. 

But everyone deserves credit. Dowman was their big threat early on. Manning handled him really well, and showed lots of composure after his yellow.

Wood and THB strong in the middle, and both capable of staring our counters.

Bree with a usual solid Bree performance whoever he's up against.

All in front of the so,I'd, confidence giving Peretz.

I was worried we'd miss the bite of Downes. But Jander filled that role very well. We tried to be more direct, but both he and Bragg still had a lot of work, breaking things up, offering outlets and getting it out wide. Bragg did all of that really well. Top \erforman e from him.

Leo will be annoyed at not taking his chances. It would have been great to see his curling effort go in, rather than rattle the bar. He gave White, who bafflingly avoided a yellow, a torrid time.

Matsuki was missing. But Fellows is no stand in. We got to see the quality he brings, and balance to the side. He was another one who really worried the Arsenal defence.

Azaz, like Bragg, was there supporting everyone else. In other games, the ball would fall to him. Tonight, we were using other players and counting on him stopping them further up.

Super goal from Ross. He looked delighted to be back and looking forward to Wembley. Arsenal hated dealing with him. They couldn't double up as Azaz was there lurking, and Leo would exploit the space.

Larin didn't get much to to, but his hold up proved to be really important. Edozie was quiet, but was pinning them back on that side. They knew he'd be a threat on any counter.

Massive credit to Tonda. He stuck to his plan. Looking ahead, he took Ross and Leo off. He identified the Arsenal weakness and explored it. And he's given everyone minutes since the start. No one is rusty coming off the bench. Everyone knows what's required.

A top performance.

Agree with that, especially re Azaz who played a really important role. 

[Vancouver Saint]

OMG that was brilliant - live texting my Arsenal-supporting friend watching from the other side of Vancouver - and meeting up for darts tonight after the Canucks game...beers on me and happy to oblige!

Sounded like a fantastic atmosphere.

Now to hammer Wrexham please.

[Hawkswood]

8 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

He did but should have scored, THB just said the same.

I was choosing to ignore his shooting 😁

[trousers]

[Holmes_and_Watson]

5 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Good interview with THB very honest and refreshing.

He's come on a lot under Tonda. Showing those leadership qualities (although that might be Keane shouting at him a lot, away from training.)

[Hoggins]

I thought Jander and Bree were absolutely outstanding 

[Micky]

9 minutes ago, egg said:

There were loads empty around me. 

Me too, getting tickets for that game wasn't a problem.