Broja’s first Premier League start, first Premier League goal give Southampton first Premier League win

We had started to wonder if and when Armando Broja would finally get his chance in the Premier League from Ralph Hasenhüttl at Southampton. The young Chelsea loanee had scored twice for Albania this season already, and also twice for Saints in the League Cup. Meanwhile, Southampton were still looking for their first league win, after seven tries.

On Saturday, after four substitute appearances of about 20 minutes each, Broja got his chance from the very start — and duly rewarded that faith with a goal (his first ever in the Premier League), which turned out to be enough to get Southampton all three points, and their first win of the season, against Leeds United.

It wasn’t exactly a complicated finish as Nathan Redmond laid it on a platter, but Broja was threatening throughout his 80+ minutes of action, and could’ve had another goal or assist as well.

The 20-year-old was clearly chuffed with his maiden strike — truly one of those classic dream come true moments — while also giving plenty of deserved credit to the rest of the team, as all good teammates should.

“It feels amazing. The boys were unreal today and the way we pressed and stuck to the game plan, the way we defended. From defence, the goalkeeper all the way to attack I thought we were class. I can’t thank the boys enough I thought they were unreal.

“Like I say prior to this I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was a kid; getting my first Premier League start and a goal to come with it. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was an unreal day but you’ve got to give credit to the boys because they were amazing today. Nathan Redmond put it on a plate for me and I just had to finish it off.”

-Armando Broja; source: Southampton FC

Hopefully the first of many more Premier League goals for young Armando!