The Southampton star who was nowhere near Cyle Larin’s levels against Stoke

Southampton didn't play Stoke City off the park during their 3-1 victory on Saturday afternoon.

Indeed, Daily Echo journalist Dan Hargraves would aptly labeled the Saints' first Championship win of the season as not being "pretty at times", but they're off the mark, thankfully, and that's all the counts.

Due to a late flurry of goals from Divin Mubama and Ryan Manning, Tonda Eckert's men are only one point behind both Lincoln City and Norwich City right at the foot of the second tier table, as their points tally now sits at minus one.

Of course, Cyle Larin also got in on the goalscoring action, away from the Manchester City loanee and the trusty full-back scoring at the death, with the Canadian an ice-cold performer, as usual, in front of goal.

Larin continues to be an ice-cold finisher

The Brampton Bagsman already has three goals next to his name this season from only three games.

His calm finish against the Potters, which handed Eckert's hosts a slender one-goal advantage after only eight minutes had been played, was typically clinical from the one-time Orlando City striker, as he never looked like fluffing his lines, despite facing a formidable Championship stopper in Viktor Johansson.

The lethal 31-year-old will want to be in the golden boot conversation come the end of the season, alongside steering the South Coast giants to promotion, with Eckert boldly declaring - before the nervy Stoke victory - that Larin is the "best striker in the league."

If he continues to perform like an unflustered machine, the 94-time Canada international could well scoop up that coveted individual honour, with four duels also won by Larin against Stoke further solidifying him as Southampton's main focal point up top.

The win ended up falling into the Saints' lap at the full-time whistle partly because of Larin being so potent in front of goal, but while Eckert will just want his veteran centre-forward to keep these clinical performances coming, he will want a lot more from one of the number 9's attacking teammates, in stark contrast.

The Saints star who was nowhere near Larin's levels

Eckert would have been relieved that he had the likes of Mubama and Lewis Dobbin to fall back on as impact subsitute options.

Mubama would bag the decisive second of the game for the Saints, with his wonderfully taken effort -on his home debut - coming against his ex-loan employers no less, while Dobbin was also involved in the build-up that allowed the exciting young striker to steal the limelight.

Leo Scienza will be biting his nails now about his chances of starting next weekend, when Millwall come to St. Mary's, with the Brazilian easily nullified from a Stoke perspective.

The quiet number seven was targeted against Watford on the opening day, too, with the Hornets silencing him with ease on that occasion with a robust approach.

He offered very little against the Potters, as well, while Larin was his usual excellent self, with just two shots registered all afternoon at the away side's goal, before a livelier Dobbin was introduced into the contest.

Some Southampton supporters have even accused Scienza of looking "disinterested" out on the St. Mary's turf, with the South American further mustering up just one successful cross from five attempted.

It was a poor day at the office for the attacking star who usually lights up the South Coast with his dazzling displays, as evidenced in his stunning 17 goal contributions last season during his debut campaign.

With a lacklustre showing against Watford remaining fresh, as well, the worry will be whether Eckert can depend on Scienza, or if the former Heidenheim winger is about to experience a case of second-season syndrome.

In Larin's corner, though, there is no such anxiety brewing that his performance levels are dropping off, with Daily Echo journalist Alfie House jubilantly stating that picking up him on a permanent deal has been a "hell of a signing" right after he broke the deadlock.

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