The Southampton midfielder delivered an excellent assist and how he takes to Premier League next season will be crucial for development.
This was also another audition for Will Smallbone in a senior Republic of Ireland jersey.
They remained that way for a couple of seconds longer than you might expect, perhaps savouring the moment or simply wondering if it could really have been that simple to break the deadlock against a side that arrived unbeaten in their last 14 games. If you are looking for moments to build on and show how players can affect games in the final third this was a clinical one from Smallbone.
Just before the teams did head down the tunnel there was another moment for Smallbone that caught the eye and was an indication of his willingness to take responsibility at a time when it would have been easier to pass it off. After the break he was again the pick of the men in the middle for O’Shea. He was drifting aross the park to offer an outlet, giving and receiving passes to keep play ticking, and also mopped up breaking balls in the centre to show he was still switched on to the task at hand.
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