Southampton bounced back from their mid-week 4-1 defeat in the EFL Cup to West Ham United in some style against Millwall on Saturday.
The Saints blew the Lions away with their attacking intent, with five goals scored by Tonda Eckert's men, against a Millwall defence that hadn't conceded a single goal since the opening day of the Championship season.
Usually, Alex Neil's men pride themselves on defensively dogged performances, but even the irked Scotsman at the final whistle had to hold his hands up, stating that the away day showing from his shellshocked team lacked the "grittiness and resilience" the East London side have become known for.
The 5-1 win will have reassured some restless natives at St. Mary's that's for sure, away from the angry away supporters returning to the Den, with the attackers on the pitch from the home side's perspective stealing the show with some breathtaking performances.
Southampton's attackers were outrageously good
Where should we start when it comes to waxing lyrical about the dynamite attackers Eckert has at his disposal?
Well, Cyle Larin could be the best place to start as he grabbed the all-important equaliser during the entertaining contest with a header, before pulling off a Dennis Bergkamp-esque style finish for his second of the afternoon, when the game had pretty much been clinched.
He was unstoppable in attack yet again for the Saints, with the Canadian in with a very good shout of winning the Championship golden boot at the close of the campaign, if he can keep this blistering form up.
Away from Larin, Finn Azaz kept bamboozling the Millwall defenders all match with his quick feet, but away from his trickery, he would simply tap home into an empty net for 2-1, as a mazey dart forward from his equally skilful teammate, Leo Scienza, left several Lions shirts in his dust.
Azaz would repay the favour when he was fouled inside the penalty box early into the second half, resulting in the Brazilian stepped up confidently to tuck home the spot-kick to open his Championship account for the season.
When these three maestros are performing at the peak of their powers, every single second tier defence across the league would struggle to contain them, as the usually stern Lions - who led the league standings coming into this clash - found out the hard way.
The only slight blemish on the scoreline is the fact that Mark Sykes rid Daniel Peretz of a clean sheet with his early opener, but regardless of the full-back scoring for the away team, one defender for Eckert and Co. put in a fantastic display that slipped under the radar, amid all the full throttle entertainment.
This performance slipped under the radar
Eckert made a big call with his starting XI.
Jack Stephens endured another difficult day at the office during the 4-1 humiliation at the hands of the much-changed Hammers, so the German threw brand-new signing Keven Schlotterbeck straight into the first team fold against Millwall, in the veteran's place, mere days after finalising a move from Augsburg.
The 26-year-old didn't look out of his comfort zone whatsoever, though, as he cut a composed and calm figure, even when faced with thwarting Josh Coburn, who had two second tier goals next to his name for the season when travelling to St. Mary's.
It wasn't the most polished display from a passing perspective, with seven of his 30 passes going astray, but he did end up winning all four of his aerial duels, as he did his dirty work well against a combative opponent.
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Registering seven clearances and blocking seven shots, as well, it was a solid first step for Schlotterbeck in his new Southampton colours, with even more to come from the resolute number 13 as he settles in more.
The prospect of having Schlotterbeck and Taylor Harwood-Bellis in the same defence is a tantalising one, with it still up in the air as to whether the one-time England international will leave the South Coast behind or not, before September's deadline.
Whatever happens, Eckert will hope he can fall back on his brand-new 26-year-old for stability at the back, all while Azaz, Larin, and Scienza keep firing home the goals.
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