Southampton put out yet another convincing display on Saturday with a 4-1 win over play-off fighting QPR.
Julian Stephan’s side had no answer despite going toe to toe with the Saints in the first half of proceedings, in which Saints went in at the break a goal to the good thanks to a Kuryu Matsuki goal.
First St Mary’s strikes from Cam Bragg, Keven Schlotterbeck and Welington secured the three points in the second half despite Richard Kone’s strike.
We’ve taken five key learnings from the encounter.
Cam Bragg superb
In his first home outing since his south coast derby sending off, Southampton Academy graduate Cam Bragg shone.
Despite not playing at all against West Ham United, the 21-year-old slotted right back into the side alongside mentor James Ward-Prowse and put in a superb performance.
After Caspar Jander’s injury setback, Bragg could see a more prominent role in upcoming games.
No Larin, no problem
Just one of Southampton’s last twelve league goals has been scored by a striker (Lewis Dobbin against West Ham).
Even with star striker Cyle Larin out with a hamstring injury, the goals are coming thick and fast for a varied Saints team. No other side in the Championship has more individual goalscorers than them (13).
From underperforming a year ago under Will Still to netting from all over under Tonda Eckert, it’s truly been a superb turnaround.
Matsuki has stolen role
Tom Fellows has been left in the dust by Kuryu Matsuki. The Japanese international could and probably should have had a hat-trick against QPR.
Saints are a better side with the 23-year-old at their service, and will miss him when he heads to the Asia Cup in late December 2027.
Matsuki has stolen the first-choice right wing role - and is truly the side’s best option there now.
Saints one of top two sides
Post-match, QPR boss Julian Stephan coined Southampton as the best side in the division, after Spygate foes Middlesbrough.
The non-points deduction table shows that - if you take away Saints’ minus four setback they would sit a point behind the league leaders from the North East.
Despite not often looking their best so early into the campaign, Tonda Eckert’s side is winning consistently - and on course for a brilliant points tally come May.
Eckert marks whirlwind year
As of Monday, Tonda Eckert has been in his post as Southampton head coach for a year. A 4-1 win over QPR was befitting - as the first side he ever faced as interim last campaign.
The German took charge of a side in 21st and took them to 4th in the table, while beating Premier League opposition in a remarkable FA Cup run to Wembley.
A new contract must be next for the exceptional tactician. His guidance has given Southampton the vision needed to dream of a successful long-term future.
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