3 – 1
“Cyle Larin broke the deadlock just eight minutes in, converting Flynn Downes's assist to give Southampton an early platform. The goal came after Ben Gibson had already tested the Stoke keeper with a headed effort moments earlier, signalling Southampton's intent from the first whistle.”
Pivotal“Ethan Galbraith levelled for Stoke City in the 26th minute, cancelling out Southampton's early advantage and injecting genuine uncertainty into the contest. The goal kept Stoke very much in the game heading into the second half.”
Pivotal“With the match seemingly heading for a draw, substitute Divin Mubama arrived to settle it. Finn Azaz's driving run created the chance after Ryan Manning's left-footed effort had been blocked moments earlier, and Mubama finished clinically to restore Southampton's lead with just seconds of normal time remaining.”
Pivotal“Ryan Manning stepped up to convert from the penalty spot in stoppage time, making it 3-1 and emphatically ending any doubt about the result. The penalty came in the same breathless closing minutes that also saw Svante Ingelsson dismissed for a second bookable offence, compounding Stoke's misery.”
Pivotal
Southampton
Stoke City
Outstanding performance
Southampton•MidfielderSouthampton controlled large portions of this Championship fixture at St Mary's, finishing with 58% possession and 17 shots to Stoke's 14, yet they were forced to work hard for all three points. Cyle Larin got them off to a flier in the eighth minute, finishing off a Flynn Downes assist to settle early nerves, but Stoke refused to fold and Ethan Galbraith punished Southampton just before the half-hour mark to level things up. The second half descended into a card-strewn affair — seven yellows in total and 21 fouls from the visitors — and it took Southampton's substitutes to break the deadlock. Divin Mubama, on for just eleven minutes, converted Finn Azaz's assist in the 89th to restore the lead, before Ryan Manning added a penalty in stoppage time to put gloss on the scoreline and send Stoke home with nothing. For Southampton, it is a confidence-boosting win that begins to put distance between themselves and the lower reaches of the division; for Stoke, the indiscipline — capped by Svante Ingelsson's second yellow deep in injury time — will concern their coaching staff heading into the week.
How entertaining was this match?
assist: Finn Azaz
Goal! Divin Mubama scores to make it 2-1, assisted by Finn Azaz.
Ryan Manning takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Finn Azaz takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Maksym Talovierov receives a yellow card.
Maksym Talovierov is on, and Eric Bocat is off.
Tomas Rigo is on, and El Hadji Soumare is off.
Sorba Thomas takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Sorba Thomas takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Cyle Larin takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Leo Scienza takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Svante Ingelsson takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Svante Ingelsson comes on for Sam Gallagher.
Ryan Manning takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Leo Scienza takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Jack Stephens takes a header shot, but it misses the target.
Kuryu Matsuki takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Kuryu Matsuki takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Substitution: Robert Bozenik comes on for George Hirst.
Ethan GalbraithYellow CardEthan Galbraith receives a yellow card.
Offside.
Jack Stephens takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Ryan Manning takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Ryan Manning takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Ryan Manning receives a yellow card.
Flynn DownesYellow CardFlynn Downes receives a yellow card.
Flynn Downes receives a yellow card.
George Hirst takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
El Hadji Soumare takes a left-footed shot but misses.
First half ends with the score at 1-1.
First half ends with the score at 1-1.
Sam Gallagher receives a yellow card.
Yellow card issued to Sam Gallagher.
Corner awarded.
Sam Gallagher takes a shot with his head, but it misses the target.
Eric Bocat takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
George Hirst takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Ethan GalbraithEthan Galbraith scores with a left-footed shot.
Goal! Ethan Galbraith scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Sam Gallagher.
Cyle Larin takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Cyle Larin takes a right-footed shot but misses.
James BreeYellow CardJames Bree receives a yellow card.
Shot - Bae Jun-Ho Head Shot Missed
James Bree receives a yellow card.
Cyle LarinCyle Larin takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Flynn Downes
Goal! Cyle Larin scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Flynn Downes.
Offside.
Ben Gibson takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
Kick-off! The referee is Steve Martin.
