Southampton4-1Queens Park Rangers

Southampton 4-1 Queens Park Rangers

Southampton scored four against QPR, moved into fifth and still left room for an argument with the officials. Cameron Bragg’s first league goal was the standout moment in a 4-1 win at St Mary’s. Lewis Dobbin found the net too, but his header also required a committee meeting.

Kuryu Matsuki first sent a good chance over the bar, then made much better use of his next opening. Léo Scienza’s blocked shot reached him with his back to goal. Matsuki controlled, turned and finished in the 11th minute. Saints had an early lead, but Rangers gave them enough problems to prevent a comfortable first half.

Paul Smyth headed over and Kwame Poku shot into the side netting, while Daniel Peretz had to save from Smyth. At the other end, Pierce Charles produced an excellent save from Keven Schlotterbeck’s header. Both teams had chances, and Saints still needed a second goal to give themselves some room.

Dobbin thought he supplied it just before halftime with a glancing header from Scienza’s corner. After a discussion, the officials disallowed it because Jack Stephens was judged to interfere from an offside position in front of Charles. Stephens never touched the ball. It was a contentious call and a very generous reprieve for QPR. Saints took a 1-0 lead, and a reasonable grievance, into the break.

The second half supplied a much better answer than an argument. Dobbin chased a ball into the penalty area and had a shot blocked before Ryan Manning returned the ball from the byline. Dobbin let it reach Bragg, whose first-time left-footed shot took a deflection and found the net in the 55th minute. After his derby dismissal earlier this month, this was a much happier first-team milestone for the academy graduate.

Manning supplied the next goal too, with Schlotterbeck heading his corner home after 66 minutes. Richard Kone replied two minutes later, but Saints continued to create chances rather than retreat. Charles denied Scienza and Dobbin, and Finn Azaz also threatened before the finish. QPR’s reply added a little uncertainty, not a change of direction.

The academy supplied a late cameo as well as a goalscorer. Barnaby Williams replaced Bragg in the second minute of stoppage time for his first senior appearance of the season. It was his second Championship appearance and third senior outing overall, after last season’s games against Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester.

Welington replaced Manning at the same time and needed only three minutes to add the fourth. Divin Mubama burst through, and the ball eventually reached Welington for a powerful left-footed finish. That one required no discussion.