Southampton’s battle against relegation continued this weekend with a 3-1 home loss to Newcastle United, but Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu was a rare bright spot. Onuachu, who has struggled to adapt to the intensity of Premier League football since his arrival, scored his first home goal for the Saints, giving fans a glimmer of hope amidst a challenging season.

The towering forward opened the scoring at St. Mary’s Stadium, only for Newcastle to rally back with three unanswered goals, leaving Southampton rooted near the bottom of the table. Despite the defeat, manager Ivan Juric defended his decision to start the Nigerian international, highlighting his recent improvements in training.

“He’s been training really well and showing great energy. This week, he’s been exceptional, and I believed he could make a difference today,” Juric told the BBC post-match.

Onuachu’s goal came on the back of another recent standout performance, where he broke his scoring drought in a narrow 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest. With two goals in two games, the 6’7” striker seems to be finding his feet, and Juric’s faith in him could mark a turning point as Southampton fight for survival.

While the Saints face an uphill battle to avoid relegation, Onuachu’s newfound form and physical presence could prove vital in the coming weeks. Southampton fans will hope their striker’s resurgence can inspire the team to turn the tide.