Tonda Eckert’s Southampton marked their last home game before the south coast derby with an excellent victory over Bristol City at St Mary’s.
It wasn’t the best showing of the season from the Saints, but a match in which they made their chances pay against a Robins side that gave them a good game.
Saints took the lead with a fantastic outside-the-box effort from Cyle Larin in the first half, before the Brampton Bagsman made it two in the second period.
Bristol City struck back, but Kuryu Matsuki and Finn Azaz's goals took the game out of reach for the away side.
We’ve taken five lessons from the match as Southampton ended a six-point week in style.
Peretz statement
There’s been plenty of speculation over Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz in the recent days, with former Arsenal shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale remaining at the club after the transfer window.
However, the £7m signing played well against a Bristol City side that could easily have had three or four goals over them. The Israeli answered his critics well with a good performance.
Top sides win when not at best
To be in with a shout of promotion from the Championship, teams need to come up with results when not at their best. That was Southampton versus Bristol City.
The away side made an xG of 2.24 from 21 shots, but the Saints hung in there and built momentum as the match went on. With the quality they possess, the win was well-fought and deserved by the final whistle.
Larin for golden boot
Cyle Larin already has seven Championship goals from as many matches this season, and the Canadian leads the golden boot race comfortably, with his closest competitor Will Lankshear on five.
The so-called ‘Brampton Bagsman’ scored two goals that summed him up against Bristol City - an all-rounder. From an excellent finish from outside the box to a poacher’s goal, the 31-year-old was formidable.
Schlotted in expertly
Southampton’s new centre-back Keven Schlotterbeck has been nothing short of excellent in his first games for Tonda Eckert’s team. His introduction looks excellent.
The 29-year-old has formed a comfortable partnership alongside Nathan Wood, and will now be targeting his first clean sheet against Wrexham next weekend.
Home form electric
Since losing to Hull City at St Mary’s in January, Southampton have won 14 of 18 games in all competitions at home, scoring 42 times - a whopping average of 2.3 goals per game.
The atmosphere at their home ground has been exceptional, a credit to the work Tonda Eckert and the players have done.
The club’s next hurdle at home is against rivals Portsmouth in October following the international break. It’s a game they must win to assert dominance over their biggest enemy.
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