Southampton Nicks the Points at Crystal Palace

How quickly valuable lessons can be forgotten. Or maybe disregarded.

Crystal Palace survived the drop last season through sheer determination.

Dudes knew who they were and were under no illusions that not wavering from reality was their only hope of reaping the Premiership's financial rewards for another season.

They would've done well to draw from experience in the wake of Southampton's visit to Selhurst Park. Instead, the Saints played like the Eagles should've and came away with an 0-2 result.

 

Indeed. That was Southampton's first victory this season.

The first half surely had everyone in the stands checking their phones for all and sundry because there sure wasn't anything worth seeing on the pitch.

However, the second half was a nightmare for Eagles supporters, who were probably trying to meld into their screens for an alternate reality.

 

Didn't work. In the stands or on the pitch.

In the 47th  minute, Southampton struck. It all started with 'keeper Alex McCarthy and, in less than 15 seconds, just three passes put Danny Ings in position to score his second goal this season:

Saints had the chance to make it two on a penalty at the 65th minute.

However, Charlie Austin was stopped by Wayne Hennessey, who made a brilliant save.

 

That was Palace's only real highlight.

For their coup de gras, Southampton put the match away in the 93rd minute.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg outsprinted Cheikhou Kouyaté and reaped the reward:

Like Watford, the Palace roster is loaded with players either past their prime or career spare parts.

Unlike the Hornets -- and now the Saints -- they're gonna be looking over their shoulders the rest of the season if they don't pick up their lunch buckets and get to work.