Divin Mubama delivered a dramatic, last‑minute winner on his home debut, guiding Southampton to a 3‑1 triumph over his former side, Stoke City. The Manchester City loanee, who was famously sent off for Stoke at St Mary's almost a year earlier after a controversial dive, turned the tables this evening by becoming the decisive hero as the Saints dug deep to extend their unbeaten run at home, a streak that has been intact since January.
The match opened brightly for Southampton when Canadian striker Cyle Larin, who has now scored in three consecutive games, found the net early. A well‑timed combination between Finn Azaz and Flynn Downes saw Larin break free down the centre of the pitch, and he calmly slotted the ball past Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson to give Tonda Eckert’s side an early lead. Stoke, however, responded swiftly.
Ethan Galbraith, the summer acquisition from Swansea, equalised after a low cross from Sam Gallagher was expertly finished, showcasing the young midfielder’s growing confidence since joining the club. Both teams exchanged chances throughout the first half, with Southampton gradually asserting more possession.
A clever pass from Ryan Manning set up another Larin opportunity, but Ben Johnson, on loan from the Tractor Boys, managed to deflect the effort wide. Later, a free‑kick from Leo Scienza struck the post after a slight deflection off Johnson’s back, underscoring the fine margins that were defining the contest. Stoke’s manager, Mark Robins, made several notable selections on the day. He handed debuts to George Hirst, who arrived from Ipswich for a reported £7 million, and Ben Johnson, while also starting Djibril Soumaré in his first appearance for the club.
Before kickoff, a minute of applause was observed in memory of Kevin Keegan, the former Southampton and England forward who passed away the previous month. The second half saw Southampton push forward with renewed vigor.
A well‑executed move involving Lewis Dobbin and Finn Azaz created a clear opportunity for Mubama, who calmly placed his shot beyond the keeper in the 89th minute, sealing the win. Just four minutes later, in stoppage time, Samuel Edozie broke free and was brought down by a rash challenge from Svante Ingelsson. Manning stepped up and converted the resulting penalty, adding a third goal to the scoreboard.
Stoke’s hopes of salvaging a point were further dented when Ingelsson received a red card for the foul on Edozie, leaving the visitors with ten men for the final minutes. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Stoke continued to press, but Southampton’s defensive organization held firm. The match also featured a notable omission from Southampton’s squad: Taylor Harwood‑Bellis was left out after the club turned down an £18 million bid from Aston Villa earlier in the week. Manager Unai Emery is reportedly preparing an improved offer for the England‑capped defender, indicating ongoing transfer negotiations.
After the final whistle, Eckert reflected on the performance, acknowledging the challenges of the early season: "I think as much as you want to be at 100 percent in the way a game goes, that's just not the way at the beginning of the season. We made a commitment at half‑time that we go all in and I think we deserve to bring that game in our direction in the second half." He also addressed Harwood‑Bellis’s absence, noting the player’s dedication to the club but recognising the allure of Champions League football and the complexities it brings. Eckert further praised the club’s ownership, stating, "We're desperately crying out for new players. The owner has been absolutely fantastic and will do as much as he possibly can.
We have to try and shift players that don't want to be here or players that aren't going to cut it for us. We could have come away with three points today; it's just unfortunate that we didn't manage to stay on the front foot, even when the changes were made." Overall, Southampton’s resilience and ability to capitalize on late opportunities secured a valuable three points, reinforcing their home unbeaten record.
Stoke, despite a spirited display and the contributions of newcomers like Galbraith, will look to regroup after the setback and address the disciplinary issues that saw Ingelsson sent off. The match also highlighted the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Harwood‑Bellis, a storyline that will likely continue to dominate headlines in the weeks ahead.
For fans seeking more coverage, Sky offers live streaming of EFL games on mobile devices, and free Championship highlights are available online. Additionally, a promotional Super 6 competition promises a chance to win £250,000, with free entry for participants.