Watford 1-1 Southampton: Andre Gray rescues Hornets a late point after Shane Long's Premier League record-breaking goal
Shane Long scored the fastest goal in Premier League history as Southampton edged another point closer to safety.
The Republic of Ireland striker fired his side ahead after 7.69 seconds at a stunned Vicarage Road.
But his first-minute goal was cancelled out by a last-minute one from Andre Gray as Watford secured a 1-1 draw.
The strains of Sir Elton John's 'Rocket Man' had barely finished booming over the loudspeakers when Long gave Southampton lift-off.
Amazingly, the goal actually came from Watford's kick-off. Roberto Pereyra played the ball from the centre-circle back to defender Craig Cathcart some 40 yards from his own goal.
As Cathcart attempted to launch the ball up field, Long charged it down and raced through before lifting it over Hornets goalkeeper Ben Foster.
The goal was a fraction more than two seconds quicker than the Premier League's previous fastest, scored by Tottenham's Ledley King after 9.82 seconds against Bradford in December 2000.
As well as writing a little piece of history for himself, and becoming an answer to a pub quiz question, Long must have thought he had all but guaranteed Southampton's survival until Gray struck.
Had they held on, Saints would have been eight points clear of Cardiff, who sit in the final relegation spot and have just three matches remaining.
As it is, the six-point gap should be plenty, with the mission of Ralph Hasenhuttl, the manager brought in to save them from relegation, almost complete.
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- Southampton’s opener from Shane Long after just seven seconds is the fastest goal scored in Premier League history.
- Southampton have dropped a league-high 25 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season.
- This is the first time Watford have accumulated as many as 50 points in a Premier League season, last doing so in the top-flight in 1986-87 (63).
- Watford have conceded at least once in their last nine Premier League games, the longest current run without a clean sheet in the competition.
- Southampton have lost just one of their last 10 top-flight away games against Watford, though seven of those have ended level (W2).
- Southampton striker Shane Long has scored three goals in his last four Premier League games, as many as he had in his previous 60 in the competition.
- Andre Gray has scored four goals in his last six home games for Watford in all competitions.