1989–90 Southampton F.C. season

September 2024 Southampton F.C. 1989–90 Guy Askham Chris Nicholl The Dell First Division 7th FA Cup Fifth round League Cup Fifth round Matt Le Tissier (20) Matt Le Tissier (24) 20,510 v ManchesterUnited (24 March 1990) 8,096 v York City(3 October 1989) 16,494 4–1 v Queens ParkRangers (14 October 1989)4–1 v Liverpool(21 October 1989)6–3 v Luton Town(25 November 1989)4–1 v Norwich City(27 February 1990)3–0 v Coventry City(28 April 1990) 0–3 v Everton(26 August 1989)0–3 v Liverpool(17 February 1990) _southampton8990h _southampton8990h _southampton8990h _southampton8990h _southampton8990h FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 000000 000000 _southampton8990a _southampton8990a _southampton8990a _southampton8990a _southampton8990a FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 000000 _southampton8990t _southampton8990t _southampton8990t _southampton8990h _southampton8990h FFC526 FFC526 FFC526 000000 000000 1988–89 1990–91 The 1989–90 Southampton F.C. season was the club's 89th season of competitive football and their 20th in the First Division of the Football League. The season was Chris Nicholl's most successful as manager in the league, as the club finished in 7th place after four consecutive seasons finishing in the bottom half of the league table under Nicholl. Outside the First Division, the Saints reached the fifth round of both the FA Cup and the League Cup. Southampton had a quiet summer transfer window in 1989, with the departure of Derek Statham the only business prior to the start of the league. Danny Wallace and John Burridge left during the campaign, while Ian Andrews, Sammy Lee and Oleksiy Cherednyk were brought in during the second half of the season. Following several disappointing years, the Saints enjoyed good spells of form throughout 1989–90, including several high-scoring wins and victories over title contenders such as Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal. The team's best spell came during a seven-game unbeaten run between August and October, during which time they reached a season-high position of third in the table; poor spells later in the season saw them drop as low as 12th position. In the FA Cup, Southampton beat title contenders Tottenham Hotspur in the third round, followed by a narrow victory over Second Division side Oxford United. They were knocked out in the fifth round by defending champions Liverpool, who picked up a convincing 3–0 home win. In the League Cup, the Saints made it past Fourth Division club York City, top-flight strugglers Charlton Athletic and Second Division promotion hopefuls Swindon Town, before facing elimination in a fifth round replay at the hands of another second-flight side, Oldham Athletic. The club opted out of competing in the 1989–90 Full Members' Cup. Southampton used 23 players during the 1989–90 season and had 11 different goalscorers. Their top scorer was Matt Le Tissier, who scored 24 times in all competitions, including 20 in the league – making him the joint third-highest scorer in the division. The previous season's top scorer Rod Wallace scored 21 times and also made the most appearances for the club, playing 47 games. Le Tissier won the Southampton F.C. Player of the Season award – his first win of a record three during his career – and was also named PFA Young Player of the Year. The average league attendance at The Dell during 1989–90 was 16,494. The highest attendance was 20,510 against Manchester United on 24 March 1990 and the lowest was 8,906 against York City on 3 October 1989. Background and transfers Sammy Lee.jpg 300 175 150 60 110 right Sammy Lee signed on a free transfer in January 1990, but would make only three substitute appearances for the club before leaving in October. thumb|upright|Oleksiy Cherednyk became the first Soviet player in the First Division when he signed for Southampton in March 1990. Southampton made no signings in the summer of 1989. The only transfer involving the club prior to the start of the season was the sale of left-back Derek Statham – who had lost his place in the starting lineup to Micky Adams following injury – to Second Division side Stoke City for a fee of £75,000 as determined by a tribunal.Holley Chalk 2003 207https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/derek-statham/ Derek Statham SaintsPlayers.co.uk 25 September 2024 A few games into the season, striker Danny Wallace joined Manchester United for a new Saints record fee of £1.2 million, after an offer of £750,000 was rejected.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5575210.saints-unearthed-something-special-with-diamond-danny/ Saints unearthed something special with diamond Danny Southern Daily Echo 20 April 2004 26 September 2024 Russell Osman and Danny's brother Rod Wallace also requested transfers, but these were turned down. Also in September, Mark Blake was sent out on loan to Colchester United in the Fourth Division.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/mark-blake/ Mark Blake SaintsPlayers.co.uk 26 September 2024 The month after, John Burridge was sold to Newcastle United;https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/john-burridge/ John Burridge SaintsPlayers.co.uk 26 September 2024 and in November, Steve Davis was loaned out to Fourth Division side Burnley.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/steve-davis/ Steve Davis SaintsPlayers.co.uk 26 September 2024 After Burridge's departure in October, Southampton brought in Celtic goalkeeper Ian Andrews on loan in December as backup for Tim Flowers, before signing him permanently for a fee of £200,000 in January 1990.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/ian-andrews/ Ian Andrews SaintsPlayers.co.uk 26 September 2024 The same month, midfielder Sammy Lee was signed on a free transfer from Spanish club Osasuna.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/sammy-lee/ Sammy Lee SaintsPlayers.co.uk 26 September 2024 Southampton's final signing of the season came towards the end of the campaign, in March 1990, when they signed Soviet Union right-back Oleksiy Cherednyk from Dnipro for a fee of £300,000.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/aleksey-cherednik/ Aleksey Cherednik SaintsPlayers.co.uk 26 September 2024 When he made his first team debut a few weeks later, he became the first Soviet player to appear in an English First Division match. In April, Blake – having returned from Colchester the previous month – was loaned out again, this time to Shrewsbury Town in the Third Division; come the end of the season, he would join the club permanently. Players transferred in NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDateFeeRef.Andy RowlandEnglandFW ForwardENG Exmouth TownNovember 1989UnknownHolley Chalk 2003 614Ian AndrewsEnglandGK GoalkeeperSCO CelticJanuary 1990£200,000Sammy LeeEnglandMF MidfielderESP OsasunaJanuary 1990FreeOleksiy CherednykSoviet UnionDF DefenderURS DniproMarch 1990£300,000 Players transferred out NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDateFeeRef.Derek StathamEnglandDF DefenderENG Stoke CityJuly 1989£75,000Danny WallaceEnglandFW ForwardENG Manchester UnitedSeptember 1989£1,200,000John BurridgeEnglandGK GoalkeeperENG Newcastle UnitedOctober 1989Unknown Players loaned in NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDate fromDate toRef.Ian AndrewsEnglandGK GoalkeeperSCO CelticDecember 1989January 1990 Players loaned out NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDate fromDate toRef.Mark BlakeEnglandDF DefenderENG Colchester UnitedSeptember 1989March 1990Steve DavisEnglandDF DefenderENG BurnleyNovember 1989February 1990Mark BlakeEnglandDF DefenderENG Shrewsbury TownApril 1990End of season Pre-season friendlies Ahead of the 1989–90 league campaign, Southampton played seven pre-season friendlies. The first two, on the same day at the end of July, saw the Saints beating non-league opponents Bath City and Farnborough 3–1 and 6–0, respectively, with Matt Le Tissier scoring a hat-trick in the latter.Holley Chalk 2003 430 The club continued their winning form with 3–0 wins over Aldershot and Bashley, followed by a 6–0 victory against Swansea City, featuring another Le Tissier hat-trick. The final two pre-season games ended in draws: 2–2 away to Basingstoke Town and 3–3 at home to Soviet side Dnipro. Friendly 29 July 1989 Bath City 1–3 Southampton Rideout Ruddock D. Wallace Twerton Park Bath W Friendly 29 July 1989 Farnborough 0–6 Southampton Le Tissier Blake Rod Wallace Shearer Cherrywood Road Farnborough W Friendly 1 August 1989 Aldershot 0–3 Southampton Maddison Shearer Ray Wallace Recreation Ground Aldershot W Friendly 2 August 1989 Bashley 0–3 Southampton Rideout Ruddock Rod Wallace Bashley Road Bashley W Friendly 4 August 1989 Swansea City 0–6 Southampton Le Tissier Baker Shearer D. Wallace Vetch Field Swansea, Wales W Friendly 7 August 1989 Basingstoke Town 2–2 Southampton Adams D. Wallace The Camrose Basingstoke D Friendly 11 August 1989 Southampton 3–3 Dnipro Case Le Tissier Rod Wallace The Dell Southampton D First Division thumb|upright|left|1989–90 was the first season in which Matt Le Tissier finished as Southampton's top scorer. 1989–90 Football League First Division Southampton had a mixed start to their 1989–90 league campaign, picking up two wins, two draws and two defeats in their opening six games. The season started with a 1–2 home defeat to Millwall, who scored the winning goal in the penultimate minute; this was followed by a 2–1 away win over recently promoted Manchester City in which Danny Wallace scored both goals. A 0–3 thrashing at the hands of Everton was followed by a narrow 2–1 win over Aston Villa, after which the Saints shared eight goals with Norwich City at Carrow Road, in a match described by club historians as "remarkable". The 4–4 draw was Danny Wallace's last game for Southampton before his record transfer to Manchester United; he assisted one of brother Rod Wallace's two goals in the game. After two more draws and a 1–0 win over Derby County, Southampton sat eighth in the First Division table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/30-september-1989/ League Division One table after close of play on 30 September 1989 11v11.com 27 September 2024 Mid-October saw the Saints pick up two 4–1 wins in a row and move all the way up to third in the league.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/21-october-1989/ League Division One table after close of play on 21 October 1989 11v11.com 27 September 2024 The first was an away victory over Queens Park Rangers, which saw the Hampshire side pick up two goals in the last three minutes after the London-based hosts threatened a late comeback.Holley Chalk 2003 208 The second was a home win over Liverpool, who sat atop the table before the game, unbeaten to that point in the league; Paul Rideout and a brace from Rod Wallace put the Saints 3–0 up within an hour, before a Peter Beardsley penalty was followed by a late Matt Le Tissier header to give Southampton their first league win over the Reds in three years. Despite these strong displays, it would be another month before the club won again, as they picked up two draws (against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea) and two marginal defeats (at Manchester United and Coventry City). Southampton's last game in November saw them score six goals in a league fixture for the first time since April 1984, as they beat Luton Town (who had thrashed the Saints 6–1 the previous season and 7–0 in 1985–86)Holley Chalk 2003 187, 204 6–3 at The Dell. Rideout opened the scoring in the second minute and Le Tissier scored the hosts' second just before half-time, although the visitors responded to both goals in kind. After the break, however, Rod Wallace added two, Alan Shearer added another, and Rideout doubled his tally, to send the Saints back up to fifth in the table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/25-november-1989/ League Division One table after close of play on 25 November 1989 11v11.com 27 September 2024 December saw the club pick up narrow wins over strugglers Manchester City and defending champions Arsenal, while dropping points against Nottingham Forest and eventual relegatees Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday.Holley Chalk 2003 209 Come the end of 1989, the Saints sat fourth in the First Division table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/30-december-1989/ League Division One table after close of play on 30 December 1989 11v11.com 1 October 2024 1990 started with similarly mixed fortunes for Southampton. After a 4–2 away win over Charlton Athletic on New Year's Day, the club held title challengers Everton to a 2–2 draw, before dropping all three points in a 1–2 defeat at Aston Villa, who picked up their tenth home win in a row with the result.Holley Chalk 2003 210 In February, a defeat at Crystal Palace and a draw at Luton Town were followed by a third 4–1 win of the season, this time over mid-table side Norwich City, in which Le Tissier scored his first hat-trick of the season. He would score his second hat-trick just three weeks later in a 3–3 draw with Wimbledon, overcoming a 1–3 deficit and the dismissal of Francis Benali to salvage a point.Holley Chalk 2003 211 The club's worst spell of the season followed, as the Saints lost three in a row including two at home – the first defeat saw the struggling Manchester United win 2–0 at The Dell; the second saw Southampton sacrifice a 2–1 lead at Anfield to lose 2–3 to eventual title winners Liverpool; and the third saw the club drop all three points to Queens Park Rangers. Now sitting 12th in the league tablehttps://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/3-april-1990/ League Division One table after close of play on 3 April 1990 11v11.com 1 October 2024 – their worst position since the third game of the season – Southampton went on a four-game winning streak, their best of the campaign. First was a first away win since 1 January, a 1–0 victory over strugglers Sheffield Wednesday; second was a 3–2 home win over Charlton Athletic, in which all three of the hosts' goals (including two for Neil Ruddock) were scored in the first half; third was a 2–0 victory at home over Nottingham Forest, in which Rod Wallace scored his final two goals of the season (for a total of 18 in the league); and the fourth was a 3–0 win, again at home, over Coventry City.Holley Chalk 2003 212 The winning run put Southampton back up to 7th in the table, where they would finish the season.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/28-april-1990/ League Division One table after close of play on 28 April 1990 11v11.com 1 October 2024 The final two games of the campaign ended in defeat, as the Hampshire side lost 1–2 to two top-four sides: Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. The 7th-place finish was the best the club achieved under Chris Nicholl, and saw them score 19 more goals than the previous season. List of match results 19 August 1989 Southampton 1 1–2 Millwall Ruddock 71 Briley 38Sheringham 89 The Dell Southampton 14,201 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-millwall-fc/ 23 August 1989 Manchester City 2 1–2 Southampton Gleghorn 48 D. Wallace 38 57 Maine Road Manchester 25,416 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-manchester-city-southampton-fc/ 26 August 1989 Everton 3 3–0 Southampton Whiteside 5Newell 36McCall 46 Goodison Park Liverpool 27,807 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-everton-fc-southampton-fc/ 29 August 1989 Southampton 4 2–1 Aston Villa Cockerill 59Case 72 Platt 85 The Dell Southampton 14,401 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-aston-villa/ 9 September 1989 Norwich City 5 4–4 Southampton Rosario 27 77 83Sherwood 48 Rideout 6 50Rod Wallace 38 47 Carrow Road Norwich 14,259 D https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-norwich-city-southampton-fc/ 16 September 1989 Southampton 6 1–1 Crystal Palace Horne 42 Hopkins 72 The Dell Southampton 15,368 D https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-crystal-palace/ 23 September 1989 Derby County 7 0–1 Southampton Rod Wallace 67 Baseball Ground Derby 13,694 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-derby-county-southampton-fc/ 30 September 1989 Southampton 8 2–2 Wimbledon Le Tissier 53 75 pen. Young 24Wise 73 The Dell Southampton 12,904 D https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-milton-keynes-dons/ 14 October 1989 Queens Park Rangers 9 1–4 Southampton Francis 81 R. Wallace 32 89Le Tissier 66 pen.Shearer 87 Loftus Road London 10,022 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-queens-park-rangers-southampton-fc/ 21 October 1989 Southampton 10 4–1 Liverpool Rideout 24R. Wallace 39 56Le Tissier 85 Beardsley 59 The Dell Southampton 20,501 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-liverpool-fc/ 28 October 1989 Manchester United 11 2–1 Southampton McClair 16 61 Le Tissier 17 Old Trafford Manchester 37,122 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-manchester-united-southampton-fc/ 4 November 1989 Southampton 12 1–1 Tottenham Hotspur Cockerill 60 Gascoigne 44 The Dell Southampton 19,601 D https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-tottenham-hotspur/ 11 November 1989 Coventry City 13 1–0 Southampton Drinkell 75 Highfield Road Coventry 12,151 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-coventry-city-southampton-fc/ 18 November 1989 Chelsea 14 2–2 Southampton Monkou 74Wilson 75 Le Tissier 44 pen. 66 Stamford Bridge London 23,093 D https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-chelsea-fc-southampton-fc/ 25 November 1989 Southampton 15 6–3 Luton Town Rideout 2 84Le Tissier 41Rod Wallace 53 71Shearer 73 Dreyer 24Black 46Elstrup 75 The Dell Southampton 14,014 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-luton-town/ 2 December 1989 Millwall 16 2–2 Southampton Cascarino 24Stephenson 70 Rideout 16Le Tissier 88 pen. The Den London 10,470 D https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-millwall-fc-southampton-fc/ 9 December 1989 Southampton 17 2–1 Manchester City Rod Wallace 75Horne 80 Allen 11 The Dell Southampton 15,832 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-manchester-city/ 17 December 1989 Nottingham Forest 18 2–0 Southampton Hodge 2Chapman 71 City Ground Nottingham 16,437 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-nottingham-forest-southampton-fc/ 26 December 1989 Southampton 19 1–0 Arsenal Rod Wallace 82 The Dell Southampton 20,229 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-arsenal-fc/ 30 December 1989 Southampton 20 2–2 Sheffield Wednesday Le Tissier 44 pen. 59 Atkinson 33Shirtliff 64 The Dell Southampton 16,417 D https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-sheffield-wednesday/ 1 January 1990 Charlton Athletic 21 2–4 Southampton Lee 24MacKenzie 90 Le Tissier 30Osman 32Rod Wallace 37 70 Selhurst Park London 7,614 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-charlton-athletic-southampton-fc/ 13 January 1990 Southampton 22 2–2 Everton Osman 14 74 Whiteside 44 46 The Dell Southampton 19,381 D https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-everton-fc/ 20 January 1990 Aston Villa 23 2–1 Southampton Daley 39Gage 79 Cockerill 54 Villa Park Birmingham 33,118 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-aston-villa-southampton-fc/ 10 February 1990 Crystal Palace 24 3–1 Southampton Salako 12Gray 51Barber 57 Osman 58 Selhurst Park London 13,363 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-crystal-palace-southampton-fc/ 24 February 1990 Luton Town 25 1–1 Southampton Dowie 3 Shearer 45 Kenilworth Road Luton 9,417 D https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-luton-town-southampton-fc/ 27 February 1990 Southampton 26 4–1 Norwich City Le Tissier 55 60 86Moore 82 Allen 18 The Dell Southampton 13,668 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-norwich-city/ 3 March 1990 Southampton 27 2–3 Chelsea Rod Wallace 18 29 K. Wilson 34Dorigo 81Durie 82 The Dell Southampton 16,526 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-chelsea-fc/ 10 March 1990 Southampton 28 2–1 Derby County Rod Wallace 47Le Tissier 50 Saunders 80 The Dell Southampton 16,430 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-derby-county/ 17 March 1990 Wimbledon 29 3–3 Southampton Young 28Scales 37Fashanu 53 Le Tissier 19 63 67 pen. Plough Lane London 5,382 D https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-milton-keynes-dons-southampton-fc/ 24 March 1990 Southampton 30 0–2 Manchester United Gibson 65Robins 88 The Dell Southampton 20,510 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-manchester-united/ 31 March 1990 Liverpool 31 3–2 Southampton Barnes 15Moore 72 o.g.Rush 82 Rideout 35Case 48 Anfield Liverpool 37,027 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-liverpool-fc-southampton-fc/ 3 April 1990 Southampton 32 0–2 Queens Park Rangers Maddix 75Wegerle 85 The Dell Southampton 14,757 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-queens-park-rangers/ 7 April 1990 Sheffield Wednesday 33 0–1 Southampton Cockerill 70 Hillsborough Sheffield 18,329 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-sheffield-wednesday-southampton-fc/ 14 April 1990 Southampton 34 3–2 Charlton Athletic Ruddock 23 35Case 36 Jones 52Caton 64 The Dell Southampton 14,725 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-charlton-athletic/ 21 April 1990 Southampton 35 2–0 Nottingham Forest Rod Wallace 4 60 The Dell Southampton 17,006 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-nottingham-forest/ 28 April 1990 Southampton 36 3–0 Coventry City Le Tissier 36 pen.Horne 43Osman 85 The Dell Southampton 16,359 W https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-southampton-fc-coventry-city/ 2 May 1990 Arsenal 37 2–1 Southampton Dixon 76 pen.Rocastle 80 Horne 47 Highbury London 23,732 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-arsenal-fc-southampton-fc/ 5 May 1990 Tottenham Hotspur 38 2–1 Southampton Stewart 21Allen 35 Cook 89 White Hart Lane London 31,038 L https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1989-1990-tottenham-hotspur-southampton-fc/ Final league table y SOU RSSSF Results by matchday table b Round Ground H / A / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / A / H / A / H / A / H / H / A / H / A / A / A / H / H / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / H / H / A / A Result L / W / L / W / D / D / W / D / W / W / L / D / L / D / W / D / W / L / W / D / W / D / L / L / D / W / L / W / D / L / L / L / W / W / W / W / L / L Position 14 / 8 / 15 / 6 / 9 / 10 / 8 / 8 / 6 / 3 / 5 / 5 / 8 / 8 / 5 / 7 / 5 / 6 / 6 / 4 / 4 / 4 / 5 / 8 / 10 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 7 / 9 / 11 / 12 / 10 / 7 / 7 / 7 / 7 / 7 Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss 1st 2nd 3rd red1 11v11.com FA Cup 1989–90 FA Cup Southampton entered the 1989–90 FA Cup in the third round against First Division rivals Tottenham Hotspur, with both clubs in the top five of the league table.Holley Chalk 2003 389 Despite the tie taking place at White Hart Lane, the visiting Saints dominated most of the first half, breaking the deadlock just before the half-hour mark through Matt Le Tissier, who converted a setup from Jimmy Case. Just before the break, Barry Horne doubled Southampton's lead when he "effortlessly" scored a setup from Le Tissier. Tottenham increased the pressure after the break and finally scored in the 78th minute, thanks to a "thunderous" shot from outside the box by David Howells. However, despite pushing for an equaliser, it was the Saints who would score the final goal of the match, when Rod Wallace scored in injury time. In the fourth round, Southampton hosted Second Division side Oxford United. Despite the difference in divisions, the visitors almost went ahead on multiple occasions in the first half, with the "below par" Saints saved only by goalkeeper Tim Flowers and his defenders.Holley Chalk 2003 390 After the break, Le Tissier set up Neil Ruddock from a corner for a headed goal to put the top-flight side ahead; this proved to be the only goal of the game, as the Saints were unable to assert their dominance. The fifth round of the tournament saw Southampton drawn away to Liverpool, the defending FA Cup champions and current First Division leaders, whose only loss of the season had come at the hands of the Saints. Playing without top scorer Le Tissier, the visitors struggled throughout the opening half of the game, eventually conceding five minutes before the break to Ian Rush. The second half saw the hosts continue to take advantage of their chances on goal, with a Peter Beardsley chip just after the hour mark doubling their lead, before Steve Nicol would complete the 3–0 win later on. 6 January 1990 Tottenham Hotspur Round 3 1–3 Howells 78 Le Tissier 29Horne 42Rod Wallace 90 Southampton White Hart Lane London W 33,134 27 January 1990 Southampton Round 4 1–0 Ruddock 59 Oxford United The Dell Southampton W 19,802 17 February 1990 Liverpool Round 5 3–0 Rush 40Beardsley 62Nicol 78 Southampton Anfield Liverpool L 35,961 League Cup 1989–90 Football League Cup Southampton entered the 1989–90 League Cup in the second round against Fourth Division side York City. The Saints won the first leg by a single Rod Wallace goal just two minutes before full-time, before securing a 3–0 aggregate win in the return leg at The Dell thanks to a brace from Alan Shearer (his first goals for the club since his April 1988 full league debut).Holley Chalk 2003 292 In the third round, Southampton edged out First Division strugglers Charlton Athletic by a single goal, scored by Glenn Cockerill just after the half-time break. In the fourth round, a goalless draw at Second Division side Swindon Town made way for a replay at The Dell which the Saints won 4–2 after extra time, thanks to winning goals from Matt Le Tissier and Rod Wallace. The fifth round saw Southampton host another Second Division side, Oldham Athletic, who held the top-flight home side to a 2–2 draw thanks to a goal in injury time which forced a replay. Oldham won the replay 2–0, with club historians reflecting that the "Saints created virtually nothing against a well-organised Oldham side". 20 September 1989 York City Southampton Round 2 Leg 1 0–1 Rod Wallace 88 Bootham Crescent York 4,526 W 3 October 1989 Southampton York City Round 2 Leg 2 2–0 3–0 Shearer 10 76 The Dell Southampton 8,096 W 24 October 1989 Southampton Charlton Athletic Round 3 1–0 Cockerill 46 The Dell Southampton 13,590 W 29 November 1989 Swindon Town Southampton Round 4 0–0 County Ground Swindon 15,085 D 16 January 1990 Southampton Swindon Town Round 4 Replay 4–2 yes Horne 47Rideout 84Le Tissier 91Rod Wallace 113 McLoughlin 33White 36 The Dell Southampton 19,018 W 24 January 1990 Southampton Oldham Athletic Round 5 2–2 Le Tissier 6 84 pen. Ritchie 81 90+3 The Dell Southampton 21,026 D 31 January 1990 Oldham Athletic Southampton Round 5 Replay 2–0 Ritchie 9Milligan 50 Boundary Park Oldham 18,862 L Other matches Southampton played three additional matches during the latter stages of the 1989–90 season. In April, they beat Southern League side Salisbury 9–0 in a testimonial for Barry Cramner, with eight different players on the scoresheet. This was followed in May by an 8–1 thrashing of Sussex County League side Pagham (in which Alan Shearer scored five) and a 10–0 victory over Isthmian League side Hungerford Town in which Shearer and Matt Le Tissier each scored hat-tricks. Barry Cramner Testimonial 17 April 1990 Salisbury 0–9 Southampton Banger Cockerill Le Tissier Rideout Rowland Ruddock Shearer Rod Wallace Salisbury W Friendly 10 May 1990 Pagham 1–8 Southampton Shearer Rideout Cockerill Nyetimber Lane Pagham W Chard Testimonial 15 May 1990 Hungerford Town 0–10 Southampton Le Tissier Shearer Banger Rideout Rowland Bulpit Lane Hungerford W Player details Southampton used 23 players during the 1989–90 season, 11 of whom scored during the campaign.Holley Chalk 2003 213, 292, 390 Five players made their debut appearances for the club, including three of their four new signings (Ian Andrews, Oleksiy Cherednyk, and Sammy Lee) and two players making the step up from youth to the first team (Steve Davishttps://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/steve-davis/ Steve Davis SaintsPlayers.co.uk 1 October 2024 and Jason Doddhttps://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/jason-dodd/ Jason Dodd SaintsPlayers.co.uk 1 October 2024 ). Five players made their final appearances for the Saints during the campaign: Lee, Graham Baker,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/graham-baker/ Graham Baker SaintsPlayers.co.uk 1 October 2024 Gerry Forrest,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/gerry-forrest/ Gerry Forrest SaintsPlayers.co.uk 1 October 2024 Ray Wallace,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/ray-wallace/ Ray Wallace SaintsPlayers.co.uk 1 October 2024 Danny Wallace. Striker Rod Wallace made the most appearances for Southampton during 1989–90, missing only one game in the League Cup; while Matt Le Tissier scored the most goals during the campaign, with 20 in the league, one in the FA Cup, and three in the League Cup. Midfielder Glenn Cockerill had the second most appearances of the season with 45, while Rod Wallace was the second-highest scorer with 21 goals across all competitions. Le Tissier won the Southampton F.C. Player of the Season award for the 1989–90 season. Squad statistics NamePos. Playing positionNat. NationalityLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalApps. AppearancesGoalsApps. AppearancesGoalsApps. AppearancesGoalsApps. AppearancesGoalsMicky AdamsDF DefenderENG1500010160Ian AndrewsGK GoalkeeperENG30000030Graham BakerMF MidfielderENG2(1)000002(1)0Nicky BangerFW ForwardENG00000000Francis BenaliDF DefenderENG23(4)0305031(4)0Jimmy CaseMF MidfielderENG3333060420Oleksiy CherednykDF DefenderURS7(1)000007(1)0Glenn CockerillMF MidfielderENG35(1)4306144(1)5Andy CookDF DefenderENG2(2)100002(2)1Steve DavisDF DefenderENG40000040Jason DoddDF DefenderENG21(1)0204(1)027(2)0Tim FlowersGK GoalkeeperENG3503060440Gerry ForrestDF DefenderENG10000010Barry HorneMF MidfielderWAL28(1)4313(1)134(2)6Jeff KennaDF DefenderIRL00000000Matt Le TissierMF MidfielderENG3520215(1)342(1)24Sammy LeeMF MidfielderENG0(2)00(1)0000(3)0Lee LuscombeFW ForwardGGY00000000Neil MaddisonMF MidfielderENG0(2)00(1)0000(3)0Kevin MooreDF DefenderENG18(3)1202(1)022(4)1Russell OsmanDF DefenderENG34(1)5306043(1)5Dean RadfordDF DefenderENG00000000Paul RideoutFW ForwardENG30(1)7306139(1)8Andy RowlandFW ForwardENG00000000Neil RuddockDF DefenderENG25(4)3114(1)030(5)4Alan ShearerFW ForwardENG19(7)31(2)04(1)224(10)5Ray WallaceDF DefenderENG8(1)0102011(1)0Rod WallaceFW ForwardENG35(3)18316244(3)21J. WebbMF MidfielderENG00000000Players with appearances who left before the end of the seasonDanny WallaceFW ForwardENG52000052 Most appearances RankNamePos. Playing positionLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalStartsSubsStartsSubsStartsSubsStartsSubsTotal1Rod WallaceFW Forward3533060443472Glenn CockerillMF Midfielder3513060441453Tim FlowersGK Goalkeeper350306044044Russell OsmanDF Defender3413061431445Matt Le TissierMF Midfielder3502051421436Jimmy CaseMF Midfielder3303060420427Paul RideoutFW Forward3013061391408Barry HorneMF Midfielder2813031342369Francis BenaliDF Defender234305031435Neil RuddockDF Defender254104130535 Top goalscorers RankNamePos. Playing positionLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGPG Goals per game1Matt Le TissierMF Midfielder2035123624430.562Rod WallaceFW Forward1838132621470.453Paul RideoutFW Forward73103168400.204Barry HorneMF Midfielder42913146360.175Alan ShearerFW Forward32603265340.15Russell OsmanDF Defender53503065440.11Glenn CockerillMF Midfielder43603165450.118Neil RuddockDF Defender32911054350.119Jimmy CaseMF Midfielder33303063420.0710Danny WallaceFW Forward250000250.40 References Bibliography Holley Duncan Chalk Gary Bull David 2003 In That Number: A Post-War Chronicle of Southampton FC Hagiology Publishing Bristol, England 0-9534474-3-X External links Southampton F.C. official website Category:Southampton F.C. seasons Southampton