On This Day: Southampton thrash Liverpool, 1989

Le Tissier, Shearer and Wallace run riot against the leaders at The Dell

In his six years at The Dell, Chris Nicholl made Southampton one of the most interesting and exciting sides in the country. In three of those six seasons, the total goals in their league matches (scored and conceded) was the highest in Division One. In a fourth, they were joint top. The fact goals flew in at both ends was often the result of a freewheeling 4-2-4 formation, with a superb attack of Rod Wallace, Paul Rideout, Alan Shearer and Matthew Le Tissier. All four started when Southampton trounced the unbeaten leaders and eventual champions Liverpool 4-1 in October 1989; improbably, the scoreline flattered Liverpool. All four goals were exhilarating, with Le Tissier’s quick-witted creation of the third a particular highlight. Southampton’s 1989-90 season included a 4-4, a 6-3, a 4-2 and three 4-1s. It was their best under Nicholl, with a seventh-placed finish. Had they won their last two league games, they would have finished third.