Cyle Larin once again demonstrated why Southampton manager Tonda Eckert regards him as the premier marksman in the Championship, netting a brace in a 5-1 demolition that ended Millwall's flawless opening to the campaign. The Lions drew first blood thanks to an early strike from Mark Sykes, but Larin’s two goals, combined with Finn Azaz’s easy finish, Leo Scienza’s spot‑kick and Tom Fellows’ inaugural goal for the Saints, turned the match into a one‑sided affair.
The Canadian forward has now found the net four times in the opening three league fixtures, taking his tally for Southampton to 12 goals in just 19 Championship appearances – a striking return that underscores his importance to the side. Southampton also cleared their four‑point penalty imposed for the infamous ‘Spygate’ incident, while Millwall suffered their first defeat of the season.
Alex Neil’s Millwall entered the encounter perched atop the table and, during the first quarter‑hour, displayed the confidence that had earned them back‑to‑back victories at the start of the season. Tairyk Arconte forced a save from goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, before Josh Coburn missed a headed chance. The early pressure paid off when Sykes pounced on a half‑clearance on the edge of the box, driving the ball home via a deflection.
It marked the Irishman’s first goal for Southampton since joining on a free transfer from Bristol City over the summer. From that point onward the home side dominated every aspect of play.
Ryan Manning’s short corner struck a post, signalling the onslaught that was to follow. Larin restored parity in the 25th minute. A deep free‑kick from Manning was met powerfully by the Canadian, who kept his perfect scoring record in the league intact with a clinical finish. Thirteen minutes later the Saints completed the turnaround.
Scienza dribbled past Jake Cooper, surged down the flank, lofted a cross over goalkeeper Max Crocombe and set up Finn Azaz for an unmissable tap‑in. Millwall had opportunities to level before the break; Kyrell Lisbie saw his effort rebound off the post after Arconte released him on a swift counter‑attack. The second half began with the re‑introduction of club veteran James Ward‑Prowse, a move that lifted the home crowd’s spirits.
The Saints’ momentum grew when Azaz was brought down in the box by Cooper, prompting Scienza to calmly convert the resulting penalty. The crowning moment arrived in the 62nd minute, widely regarded as the finest goal of the match.
Larin flicked the ball over Cooper’s head and, from the edge of the area, volleyed it into the bottom corner with precision. He was on the verge of a hat‑trick, but an alert Crocombe – standing in for the injured Lukas Jensen – managed to block the final chance.
Southampton’s fifth goal came from Tom Fellows, who celebrated a year since his arrival at St Mary’s by slotting the ball past Crocombe, sealing a comfortable victory and marking the Saints’ 12th unbeaten home league game. After the match, Tonda Eckert praised his striker: “It doesn’t hurt to have points on the board. We know we have to chase this season and we have shown we can do it.
That second finish from Larin was pure class. A confident striker does things you simply can’t do when you lack belief.
He takes responsibility for the team and does a lot off the pitch that isn’t visible but makes him invaluable. He could have completed a hat‑trick but he didn’t take the chance…so I took him off!” Millwall boss Alex Neil expressed his disappointment: “It was a strange game – we were very good for the first 25 minutes, took the lead and should have added another while we were on top. Our goals were poor from our perspective. We lacked the resilience and grit we usually show in the final 20 minutes.
I’m bitterly disappointed with how the game ended.” The result not only restored Southampton’s confidence after the points deduction but also highlighted Larin’s growing reputation as one of the league’s most lethal forwards. His ability to find space, finish with both feet and remain composed under pressure makes him a constant threat to any defence. Meanwhile, Millwall will need to regroup, rediscover the defensive solidity that saw them lead the table, and address the mental lapses that allowed the Saints to surge back. Overall, the match served as a vivid illustration of how quickly fortunes can swing in the Championship.
A single early goal was quickly erased by a combination of individual brilliance and collective execution from Southampton, while Millwall’s inability to maintain intensity in the closing stages proved costly. The victory also underscores the importance of depth in a squad; players like Ward‑Prowse and Fellows stepped up when called upon, contributing to a comprehensive win that will be remembered by Saints supporters for weeks to come. Fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters as the season progresses, with Southampton aiming to climb the table and Millwall seeking to bounce back from their first setback.