Cyle Larin once again demonstrated why Southampton manager Tonda Eckert regards him as the premier marksman in the Championship, netting a brace in a commanding 5-1 win that ended Millwall's flawless opening to the campaign. The match began with Mark Sykes giving the Saints an early advantage, but Larin’s two goals, alongside Finn Azaz’s easy finish, Leo Scienza’s spot‑kick, and Tom Fellows’ inaugural goal for the club, turned the tie into a rout.
The Canadian forward has already found the back of the net four times in Southampton’s first three league fixtures, bringing his tally for the Saints to twelve goals in just nineteen Championship appearances – a striking return that underscores his lethal reputation. The victory also allowed Southampton to erase the four‑point penalty imposed for the infamous ‘Spygate’ controversy, while Millwall suffered their first defeat of the season.
Alex Neil’s Millwall entered the game perched atop the table, having enjoyed back‑to‑back wins that suggested a serious title challenge. The opening fifteen minutes offered a glimpse of why they had been so successful, with Tairyk Arconte forcing a save from goalkeeper Daniel Peretz and Josh Coburn missing a headed effort. The breakthrough came when Sykes capitalised on a half‑clearance at the edge of the box, deflecting the ball past the keeper to score his first goal for Southampton after arriving on a free transfer from Bristol City earlier in the summer. From that point on, the Saints dominated every facet of play.
Ryan Manning’s short corner struck a post, and the ensuing chaos set the stage for Larin’s equaliser in the 25th minute. Manning delivered a powerful free‑kick that the Canadian striker met cleanly, maintaining his perfect scoring record in the league this season.
Thirteen minutes later, Scienza showcased his technical ability by dribbling past Jake Cooper, sprinting down the byline, lofting a cross over goalkeeper Max Crocombe and handing Finn Azaz a straightforward tap‑in. Millwall threatened to pull level before the interval, as Kyrell Lisbie saw his shot rebound off the post after Arconte had set him up on a swift counter‑attack.
The second half began with the re‑introduction of club stalwart James Ward‑Prowse, whose presence lifted the home crowd. The drama intensified when Azaz was brought down inside the box by Cooper, prompting Scienza to step up and calmly convert the penalty. The decisive moment arrived in the 62nd minute when Larin produced what many would call the finest goal of the match.
He lifted the ball over Cooper’s head, then volleyed it from the edge of the area into the bottom corner, leaving Crocombe – who had been drafted in for the injured Lukas Jensen – with no chance. Larin was on the verge of completing a hat‑trick, but the goalkeeper managed to block the final attempt, preserving a solitary save. Southampton’s fifth goal was a symbolic one for Tom Fellows, who celebrated a year since joining St Mary’s by slotting the ball past Crocombe, cementing the Saints’ unbeaten run at home – now twelve matches in the league. The win not only restored points to the table but also reinforced Southampton’s attacking credentials and their ability to bounce back from early setbacks.
After the match, Tonda Eckert praised his forward’s composure: “It feels good to have points on the board. We know we have to chase this season, and we’ve shown we can do it.
Larin’s second finish was pure class – confidence makes a striker do things you simply can’t do without it. He takes responsibility for the team and does a lot behind the scenes that isn’t visible to the public, which makes him invaluable. He could have taken the hat‑trick, but I decided to take him off.” Millwall manager 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 looked poor from our perspective, and we lacked the resilience and grit we usually show in the final 20 minutes.
I’m bitterly disappointed with how it ended.” The result leaves Southampton in a stronger position as they continue to erase the points deduction and aim for a top‑flight return, while Millwall must regroup after their first slip‑up of the season. The match also highlighted the depth of Southampton’s squad, with contributions from multiple players and a tactical shift that turned a tight contest into a dominant performance. The Saints now look poised to maintain their momentum and challenge for promotion as the Championship season progresses.