Divin Mubama delivered a dramatic, last‑minute winner on his debut at St Mary's, guiding Southampton to a 3-1 triumph over his former side, Stoke City. The Manchester City loanee, who had been sent off for a diving offence against Stoke almost a year earlier, turned the tables this time, becoming the decisive hero as the Saints fought to extend their unbeaten run at home, a streak that has been intact since January.
The match opened brightly for Southampton when Canadian forward Cyle Larin, on loan from the club, netted his third goal in as many games. Larin's strike came after a well‑executed combination between Finn Azaz and Flynn Downes, which saw him break through the centre of the Stoke defence and calmly slot the ball past goalkeeper Viktor Johansson. Stoke responded promptly; newly signed midfielder Ethan Galbraith, who arrived from Swansea earlier in the season, equalised with his first goal for the club, finishing a low cross from Sam Gallagher after an impressive build‑up involving Bae Jun‑ho.
Both teams continued to create chances, with the game appearing evenly balanced for much of the first half. Southampton began to dominate possession, and a clever pass from Ryan Manning found Larin again, only for Ben Johnson, on loan from the Tractor Boys, to block the attempt and send the ball wide.
A subsequent free‑kick by Leo Scienza struck the post after deflecting off Johnson's back, underscoring the fine margins that characterised the encounter. Stoke manager Mark Robins introduced several newcomers, giving debuts to George Hirst—who transferred from Ipswich for a reported £7 million—Ben Johnson, and Djibril Soumaré, who also started his first game for the club. Before kickoff, a minute of applause was observed in memory of Kevin Keegan, the former Southampton and England striker who passed away the previous month.
The second half saw Southampton intensify their pressure. A well‑timed pass from Azaz again set up Larin, but the Canadian forward’s effort was turned away by Johansson. As the clock ticked towards the 89th minute, a swift move involving Lewis Dobbin and Azaz created space for Divin Mubama, who took his chance with composure and slotted the ball home, restoring Southampton’s lead. In injury time, the drama escalated further.
Samuel Edozie broke free down the flank, only to be brought down by a sliding Svante Ingelsson. The referee pointed to the spot, and Ryan Manning stepped up to convert the penalty, extending the Saints’ advantage to 3-1. Stoke’s hopes of salvaging a point were further dented when Ingelsson received a second yellow card for the foul on Edozie and was sent off, leaving the visitors with ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Stoke continued to press, but Southampton’s defence held firm.
The match also featured a notable omission from the Saints’ squad: Taylor Harwood‑Bellis was left out after Southampton turned down an £18 million offer from Aston Villa earlier in the week. Manager Unai Emery is reportedly preparing an improved bid for the England‑capped defender, acknowledging the player’s importance to the team. Harwood‑Bellis, when asked about his exclusion, expressed his loyalty to the club, noting the difficulty of balancing personal ambitions—such as playing in the Champions League—with the club’s needs. Emery praised his side’s resilience in post‑match comments, stating, "We committed at halftime to go all‑in, and the players responded.
Extending our unbeaten home run is vital early in the season, and I’m proud of the effort shown despite the challenges." He also highlighted the club’s transfer situation, acknowledging the owner’s support while emphasizing the need to bring in fresh talent and move on players who may no longer fit the project. Overall, Southampton’s victory was secured through a combination of early attacking flair, disciplined defending, and a clutch performance from a debutant. The win not only maintains their flawless home record but also serves as a statement of intent for the rest of the campaign, as they continue to navigate the early stages of the season with confidence and ambition.
Fans can catch the action on Sky Sports via the official app, and highlights of the Championship are available for free online. The match also featured promotional content for the Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £250,000, with entries available at no cost.