Rotherham United goalkeeper Viktor Johansson was a man on a mission on Saturday.
Whether it be with his hands, arms, legs or even his head, the Swede was determined to keep a talented Southampton side out at St Mary’s and was desperately unlucky with the goal he did concede inside the opening two minutes, when Che Adams’ header hit the post and bounced kindly for Stuart Armstrong to convert.
The Saints – aiming for an immediate Premier League return – continued to press, but in the fourth minute, Kamaldeen Sulemana couldn’t beat Johansson. In the 11th minute, Adam Armstrong couldn’t beat Johansson and in the 18th minute, Sulemana, again, couldn’t beat Johansson.
The Swede continued to be in inspired form between the sticks and with 32 minutes on the clock, he made a point-blank save to prevent Che Adams from converting Ryan Manning’s delivery into the area, as the Millers went in at half time just a goal down.
Matt Taylor’s men changed it up at half time and looked a lot more resolute in their quest to get back into the contest, but they still needed the heroics of the unbeatable Viking in goal. With 69 minutes gone, Russell Martin’s side worked the ball out for Smallbone, who saw his ferocious drive from inside the box turned over the bar by the face of Johansson.
And that paved the way for the Millers to equalise, when Jordan Hugill chased down Johansson’s long pass upfield and volley home at the second bite of the cherry.
A determined away side dug in, battled and scrapped to cling onto the point that they had, with Johansson again saving, this time from Argentina international Carlos Alcaraz in the 78th and 89th minute, as Rotherham dug deep to claim a priceless point on the road.
Johansson’s performance saw him win our Mattress Online Man of the Match poll with a resounding 87.3% of the 867 votes cast, seeing off competition rom Ollie Rathbone, Lee Peltier and Christ Tiehi.
🏆 | Select your @mattressonline Man of the Match from our list, here #rufc | #ForeverTogetherForeverProud
— Rotherham United FC (@RotherhamUnited) October 7, 2023
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The next opportunity to vote for your Rotherham United Mattress Online Man of the Match will be when the Millers host Ipswich Town on Friday 20th October.