Phillips rescues Saints

Southampton 1 Steaua Bucharest 1

Kevin Phillips saved Southampton from a damaging defeat on their return from European exile against Steaua Bucharest at St Mary’s tonight.

The former Sunderland man equalised Claudiu Raducanu’s vital away goal for the Romanians, meaning Gordon Strachan’s side will take a 1-1 scoreline to the Ghencea Stadium for the return leg of this UEFA Cup first-round tie on October 15.

It was a deserved draw for Saints, who were back in continental action for the first time since they lost 2-0 to Kevin Keegan’s Hamburg in 1984.

Romanian league leaders Steaua, the 1986 European Cup winners, went in front when the Saints defence went to sleep after 20 minutes.

The unmarked Raducanu – the 21-goal top scorer in Romania last season – headed home Florentin Dumitru’s cross.

Victor Piturca’s side were ahead on merit after starting with plenty of attacking zest in contrast to their expected negative approach.

Saints hit back with Phillips shooting at the feet of goalkeeper Vasili Hamutovski in first-half stoppage-time.

But striker was not to be denied seven minutes after the break when he cracked home an angled drive from 12 yards.

It was a far from vintage performance from Southampton – fourth in the Premiership after their best start to a season in 20 years – but it was good enough to give them a fighting chance for the return game in Bucharest three weeks tonight.

Steaua had made a promising start, with Raducanu forcing Paul Jones into action after six minutes.

The Welsh goalkeeper stuck out his left glove and pushed the ball past his upright.

Southampton hit back with James Beattie’s fierce drive charged down, while Phillips was next to try his luck, smashing a thunderous 25-yard drive a foot over the angle of post and crossbar just before the quarter-hour.

But it was the Romanians who took the lead in the 20th minute, thanks to shoddy Saints marking.

Graeme Le Saux allowed Dumitru to sneak in behind him on the visitors’ right flank – and Raducanu raced clear of Claus Lundevkam and Michael Svensson to meet the cross with a diving header from six yards.

Phillips had a decent opportunity to level 11 minutes later but was wayward with his shot.

The forward lent backwards and skied his attempt from the edge of the area.

Moments later, Dorel Mutica bravely threw himself in front of another Beattie pile-driver.

Matt Oakley, who had wasted several corners with poor delivery, finally got one right and Michael Svensson sent a downward header just wide.

Steaua keeper Hamutovski saved superbly with his feet on the stroke of half-time when the ball fell to Phillips eight yards out.

In the 51st minute, Chris Marsden linked up with Phillips and almost squirmed through the Steaua defence before losing possession.

But Saints fans in the 30,557 crowd only had to wait another 60 seconds for their side to equalise.

Phillips burst into space on the right side of the box and, after appearing to stumble, regained his balance and rifled a shot through Hamutovski’s grasp and into the net.

Beattie did well in the 65th minute, controlling an awkwardly-bouncing ball and exchanging possession with Phillips before Hamutovski gathered his flick.

The big striker, who already has six top-flight goals to his name this term, turned and shot a minute later to force the Romanians’ keeper into action again.

Michael Svensson, on a forward charge from the back, met Le Saux’s curling diagonal ball but could not control his header and the ball sailed harmlessly over the top.

Phillips headed Le Saux’s corner over late on.