Southampton4-1Bristol City

Southampton 4-1 Bristol City

Southampton followed the win over Swansea with another emphatic home result, beating Bristol City 4-1 on an afternoon when the final score was far more comfortable than the opening half-hour.

Bristol City began brightly and made Daniel Peretz work. Lisav Eissat and Jason Knight both tested the goalkeeper inside seven minutes, while Rob Dickie, Dom Ballard and Lorent Tolaj all passed up presentable chances. Saints had to absorb a sustained spell of pressure before Kuryu Matsuki forced Sam Tickle into his first save at the other end.

The breakthrough arrived in the 38th minute and changed the mood immediately. Finn Azaz found Cyle Larin outside the area and the striker sent a left-footed finish into the top-right corner. It was Southampton’s first shot on target after Bristol City had spent much of the half threatening, which is one way to make efficiency look slightly impolite.

Saints doubled the lead after 61 minutes. A quick break ended with Larin converting from close range for his second of the afternoon and seventh league goal of the season. Bristol City responded five minutes later when Tolaj turned in Rio Cardines’ delivery following a corner, briefly restoring the familiar St Mary’s tradition of making a secure lead feel less secure.

The visitors continued to carry a threat, but Southampton finished decisively. On 82 minutes Azaz supplied Matsuki, who found the bottom corner with his left foot. Three minutes later substitute Divin Mubama set up Azaz to make it four and complete an excellent individual afternoon for the midfielder: a goal and two assists.

The scoreline does not quite tell the statistical story. Bristol City had 21 attempts to Southampton’s 10 and six shots on target to five, while Saints held 56% possession. Peretz’s four saves kept the visitors out during their strongest spell; at the other end, Southampton converted every one of their second-half shots on target.

Larin supplied the cutting edge, Azaz supplied almost everything else, and Saints collected a fourth league win from seven matches. The four-point deduction still keeps the official total down, but the football has now produced 14 points. Wrexham away comes next.