Charlie Austin

Austin strikes on his debut! 

Charlie Austin scored just 7 minutes into his Southampton debut, to give the Saints a 1-0 win against Manchester Utd at Old Trafford. The match looked like it was going to finish in a 0-0 draw until Austin made the difference in the 87th minute. The striker lost his marker in the penalty box and placed a strong header past David De Gea in the Manchester Utd goal. It was Southampton's second consecutive win at Old Trafford and are up to 8th place in the table, only 4 points behind their opponents, who are in 5th place. Manchester Utd have only won one of their last five matches at home and have failed to score in the first half of their last eleven matches! 

"What an amazing debut for Charlie Austin."  Ronald Koeman, Southampton manager.

How many players have scored on their Premier League debut?

Charlie Austin scored just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute, but he's not the fastest scoring Premier League debutant. In fact, there have been many players that have scored goals on their debut. The fastest tend to be the players that come on as substitutes, like Charlie Austin.The fastest ever debut goal was scored by Thievy Bifouma for West Bromwich Albion in a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in February 2014. Bifouma scored after just 36 seconds. The fastest ever goal scored by a player who started a game was by Samir Nasri for Arsenal against West Brom in 2007. Nasri scored after 3 minutes and 41 seconds. 

"It was nice to make my debut and even better as a striker to score."  Charlie Austin.

From bricklayer to Premier League hero.

Charlie Austin was born in Hungerford, a small town in the south east of England, in 1989. Austin signed for Reading as a youth player, but was released by the (then) Premier League team because they thought he was too small. Austin thought he had missed his opportunity to be a professional footballer and for the next few seasons he combined his job as a bricklayer with playing non-league football. But, in 2009, he was spotted by League One (3rd level of English professional football) side Swindon Town and has never looked back in football terms. But he has spoken about his life as a bricklayer:

"One day, when I was 17, I was working in a place called Overton. By 2 'o' clock I was covered in mud and couldn't bend my back. If I ever get fed up with football, I'll think about that day and remember that I've got the best life in the world now." Charlie Austin.

How did Austin reach the Premier League?

Austin scored after only 3 minutes of his debut and he scored 37 goals in only 65 games for Swindon, as he showed that he could make the jump from non-league to professional football. In January 2011, Austin signed for Burnley, who were then playing in the Championship (2nd level of English football). He scored 45 goals in 90 games for Burnley and also became the fastest player to score 20 goals for Burnley, a record that was over 100 years old! In the summer of 2013, Austin signed for QPR and scored 20 goals to help QPR to the Premier League after victory in the Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium. Despite scoring 18 Premier League goals, QPR were relegated last season, and Austin made a £4 million pound move to Southampton in the January Transfer Window.

"He has scored goals at every level and now he is scoring in the Premier League. He deserves it because he is a great lad." Harry Redknapp, former QPR, West Ham, and Tottenham manager.

Is Austin the best transfer of this season's transfer window?

Charlie Austin has shown that he can score goals in the Premier League and at only £4 million looks like a bargain for Southampton. Do you think he is the best transfer of the January Transfer WIndow so far? Take a look at these three transfers, which one is the best piece of transfer business? 

Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City to Newcastle Utd for £12 million)

Jonjo Shelvey made his professional debut when he wsa only 16 and has played for Charlton, Liverpool, Blackpool and Swansea City. He has made a big money move to Newcastle Utd and will look to add goals and creativity to the Newcastle midfield. Can he help Newcastle stay in the Premier League this season? 

Emmanuel Adebayor (no club to Crystal Palace) 

Emmanuel Adebayor has played for Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham as well as Metz and Monaco in France and Real Madrid in Spain. Adebayor hasn't played this season and has been without a club since he left Spurs in September. He has been playing street football in football back in his home country of Togo for the last few months and staying fit with a personal trainer. Will he be able to jump straight back into Premier League football?

Benik Afobe (Wolves to Bornemouth for a reported fee of £10 million)

Benik Afobe started his career with Arsenal but was sent out on loan to six different clubs and never made a Premier League appaearance for the Gunners. He made his name with Wolves in the Championship, scoring 23 goals in 48 matches. He is Bournemouth's record signing and has already scored twice in his first three games for the club.

Watch the post-match interview with Charlie Austin and practise your listening skills.

What did you understand?

Did you know......?

• Charlie Austin has scored four times in his last five league games. It was his first Premier League goal since the final day of last season, meaning he's scored in back-to-back Premier League games.
• Southampton have won back-to-back away games at Old Trafford against Man United for the first time since 1969.
• Old Trafford has seen just three first half goals scored in 11 Premier League games this season; fewer than any other stadium. Only one of those has been scored by a United player (Memphis v Sunderland).
• United have managed just one shot on target in their last two home league games to Southampton.
• The January Transfer Window closes in February!