Southampton extended their remarkable unbeaten run to 21 games in all competitions as they beat Swansea City 3-1 on Saturday.
The win in south Wales saw Russell Martin oversee his side write their names in the record books, as they beat an 123-year club record by going 20 league games unbeaten for the first time since their integration into the Football League in 1920.
Stuart Armstrong was the standout performer in the win with two assists, as well as his parried shot landing at the feet of Che Adams to tap home to continue his fine run of goalscoring and take him to five goals in his last six games.
Southampton showed their quality in the first half and were completely dominant, with Swansea’s goal on 40 minutes coming completely against the run of play. The Saints were perhaps too relaxed in the second half and allowed their opponents a number of chances to get back in the game, but managed to stand firm to seal all three points.
Despite the second half flurry from Swansea, Southampton still finished the game with 66% possession, 21 shots and eight corners. It was new manager Luke Williams’ first home game in charge of Swansea and, having worked under Martin at the Welsh club previously, Williams was impressed by what he saw from Southampton.
What did Luke Williams say about Southampton?
Southampton beat Swansea 5-0 on Boxing Day and the way the first half was going it looked as though the scoreline could be just as damaging for Williams’ new side on Saturday.
Speaking after the game about Southampton, Williams said: “They were very well organised and that was challenging. (Russell) has been absolutely brilliant at Southampton. When you go to a team like Southampton you have a chance. But a chance is just a chance. He is making the team perform in a way that the fans can be proud of.”
Williams and Martin share a very similar footballing ideology which is no surprise given they previously shared a dugout at Swansea before Williams took the manager’s job at Notts County and Martin departed for the Saints.
How Southampton played in the first half is very much the blueprint for the level and playing style that Williams wants to elevate his new side to. It is not just the unbeaten run, but the way Southampton have gone about it that has impressed Williams the most, as he explained: “They are playing a way that is really difficult to play against. Going unbeaten for 21 games is not easy to do. There is a way of doing it as well.”
Southampton are the in-form team in the Championship and having leapfrogged Ipswich Town into the automatic promotion places, at least for now with Ipswich Town travelling to league leaders Leicester City on Monday night.
Southampton have the momentum and still have important players to come back into the squad. Kamaldeen Sulemana is the club’s record signing and has been out injured since the end of November and Sam Edozie was in the best form of his career before his injury against Norwich City on New Year’s Day.
Joe Aribo is currently at the African Cup of Nations representing Nigeria and had taken his opportunity to finally have a run of games prior to his departure. Joe Rothwell signed on loan from Bournemouth this week and made his debut from the bench against Swansea having come in to strengthen the midfield until the end of the season, whilst the club remain in the market for a right winger.
Williams was asked post-match if he thinks his ex-mentor’s side could secure promotion this season and the answer will be pleasing to Southampton fans as he responded: “It is not going to be easy, but they have a fantastic chance to go up because they have all the good ingredients.”