On Sunday afternoon we were treated to a real ‘Super, Sunday, after Watford managed a 1-0 at Middlesbrough, attention turned to the South Coast for another huge clash, as Southampton hosted Sean Dyche’s Burnley.

Not exactly the best fixtures you could hope for but at least it wasn’t that international dross – eh?

Claude Puel’s side started as they meant to go on at St. Mary’s, dominating the early stages, which would have resulted in a 1-0 lead if it weren’t for Tom Heaton, who came up with the save of the season to deny Charlie Austin a goal against his old club.

As the first half bore on the script was much the same. Aside from a credible penalty shout from the Clarets, the hosts dominated only to be denied time and again by the gloves of Heaton.

Into the second half and it took a scrappy goal from all of around six inches to give Saints the lead and Charlie Austin his sixth goal in as many games.

It didn’t take too much longer for Puel’s side to fully assert their dominance when Nathan Redmond fired home a smart volley from Steven Davis’ corner, reminiscent of his first for the club against Watford in the season’s opener.

It then fell to Austin once again to put the game beyond his former club as Burnley’s Gudmundsson was adjudged to have fouled Saints debutant Sam McQueen in the box and the former QPR man slotted home calmly from 12 yards.

Dyche’s side were handed a glimpse of hope when, thanks to another controversial decision from referee Mike Dean, the Clarets were handed a penalty after Tadic was penalised for fouling Ben Mee from a corner. Sam Vokes, a childhood Southampton fan, stepped up and got one back for the visitors, however it would just be a consolation.

So, what can we take from the second instalment of that Alarmingly Average Sunday? Here are FIVE things we learned from Southampton v Burnley…

Mike Dean loves the spotlight

The man cannot seem to stay out of the headlines, whether it be for his over-zealous gestures or his shear insistence on awarding a penalty every time he takes charge of a game.

He wasted no time in getting noticed by the cameras, giving the poor cameraman a frightful glance as the teams emerged from the tunnel…

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Ain't no deplinthing like a Mike Dean deplinthinghttps://t.co/JQu7zHfqTz

— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) October 16, 2016

The official then turned on Southampton right back who felt his full wrath after a foul throw…

Things Mike Dean Hates #783: Foul Throws#CelebrityRefs(via @BMunday08)pic.twitter.com/ghKS1O0otT

— Celebrity Refs (@CelebrityRefs) October 16, 2016

Heaton needs a pay rise

The England international gave his counterpart Fraser Forster something to think about ahead of the next break, putting in a sensational performance to keep the score down to just three.

Speaking after the game, manager Dyche was full of praise for his shot-stopper; “Tom made some great saves, had to be right on his guard to make sure it was more respectable scoreline.

“It is unusual for Tom to do that much work, but he is an England goalie and he is allowed to put in a performance like that.”

The Clarets have a lot to thank him for.

Puel’s system finally settled

The Saints are now unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions, having kept a clean sheet in the six preceding yesterday’s 3-1 win.

Having had a shaky start to the season, with the side struggling to adapt to their new manager’s ways, Puel’s players now look comfortable and confident in possession and will be a match for any side.

Charlie’s Angel

Charlie Austin continued his fine form to take his tally to seven goals in his last six outings and he was spurred on at St. Mary’s by his daughter, Ava, who was in attendance to watch her dad for the first time.

However, despite his strong vein of form, manager Claude Puel remained adamant that his place is not assured.
After the game the Frenchman said; “It is important he doesn’t play all the games otherwise there could be an injury and it is important not to lose Charlie.

“He has to keep a good physical level, he is not an endurance player, it is important to keep him in with his qualities.”

Saints conveyor belt keeps going

The Southampton academy is famed for its graduates, especially from the left-back berth, with Gareth Bale and Luke Shaw having emerged in that position and, more recently, Matt Targett.

Targett however was forced off early on at St. Mary’s on Sunday, handing a 21-year-old Sam McQueen his Premier League debut, and he did not disappoint.

Originally a left-winger, Puel has been slowly moulding the former Southend loanee into a full-back and he showed real potential against the Clarets. One to keep any eye on for sure.