Super Eagles duo Joe Aribo and Paul Onuachu are heading to the English Championship after Southampton were relegated from the Premier League following a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, on Sunday.
The loss which was their 25th in just 31 league games confirmed Southampton as the first team to be relegated this season.
It’s the earliest relegation in Premier League history, marking a disastrous campaign for the Saints.
Brennan Johnson opened the scoring for Spurs in the 13th minute, smashing the ball into the roof of the net from Djed Spence’s cut-back.
That goal set the tone, as Southampton have failed to win a single game this season after conceding first.
Lucas Bergvall thought he had doubled the lead, but his effort was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check. Still, it was only a matter of time.
Johnson struck again in the 42nd minute, this time calmly slotting home after a James Maddison header fell kindly into his path.
Aribo, who started the match, showed some intent in midfield and tried to push forward when Southampton had spells of possession.
He has had a mixed season, featuring sporadically, but has remained a dependable presence in the squad when called upon.
Southampton pulled one back in the 90th minute through Fernandes, but any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Mathys Tel scored from the spot and sealed Southampton’s fate.
Rooted to the bottom of the table with just 10 points, the Saints are now at risk of finishing the season with fewer than Derby County’s record-low tally of 11 points from the 2007-08 season.
