How close is Ward-Prowse to breaking Beckham’s PL free-kick record?

 

A head-turning statistic surrounding the set-piece stylings of Southampton star James Ward-Prowse has come to the fore on Saturday evening.

For those not aware, Ward-Prowse was back on the scoresheet once more earlier today.

This came as Southampton made the trip to Elland Road, for a meeting with Leeds United in the club’s return to action on the back of the international break.

When all was said and done in west Yorkshire, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s visitors managed to emerge with a share of the spoils, despite falling behind on the half-hour mark when Jack Harrison poked home from close range.

🤩 “Harrison! From close range!” pic.twitter.com/GDSEk6Pfal

— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 2, 2022

Southampton’s decisive equaliser, meanwhile, arrived early in the 2nd-half.

After the Saints won a free-kick deep in Leeds’ half, the aforementioned Ward-Prowse took responsibility, bending home a sumptuous trademark effort to leave the sprawling Illan Meslier with no chance:

We’ve run out of words 🤯 pic.twitter.com/lf9UxkdIhB

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 2, 2022

And, in the process, Southampton’s captain etched his name into the history books of the Premier League.

This comes with Ward-Prowse now sitting 2nd in the competition’s history when it comes to goals directly from free-kicks, with 13 to his name.

This tally leaves the English international trailing only Manchester United icon David Beckham, who managed a whopping 18 across his own stint in the English top-flight:

13 – Only David Beckham (18) has scored more direct free-kick goals in Premier League history than James Ward-Prowse (13), with nine of Ward-Prowse’s strikes coming away from home. Trademark.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 2, 2022

Mid-table battle

Southampton’s latest point secured means that the Saints remain 11th in the Premier League table, albeit now only based on goal difference.

A positive result up against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, who of course slipped to a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Brentford earlier today, could, in turn, guide Hasenhuttl and co. back into the top half of the table, potentially as high as 9th.

This comes with Southampton locked on 36 points with 10th-placed Aston Villa, and only a solitary point back of Leicester City in ninth.

 

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