Cyle Larin once again demonstrated why Southampton manager Tonda Eckert rates him as the premier marksman in the English Championship, netting a brace in a commanding 5‑1 triumph that snapped Millwall's flawless opening to the campaign. The visitors had drawn first blood through Mark Sykes, whose early strike gave the Lions a tentative lead.
However, the momentum swiftly shifted as Larin found the back of the net twice, while Finn Azaz added a simple tap‑in, Leo Scienza converted a penalty and Tom Fellows, on the anniversary of his arrival at St Mary's, rounded off the scoring. The Canadian forward has now amassed four goals in the first three league fixtures, taking his total for the Saints to twelve goals in just nineteen Championship appearances – a strike rate that underscores his importance to the side. Southampton also erased the four‑point deduction they incurred over the controversial 'Spygate' incident, while Millwall suffered their first defeat of the season.
Alex Neil’s Millwall entered the match perched atop the table, and the opening fifteen minutes offered a glimpse of why they had secured back‑to‑back victories to start the year. Tairyk Arconte forced a fine save from goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, only for Josh Coburn to miss a headed effort. The breakthrough came when Sykes capitalised on a half‑clearance at the edge of the box, driving home a deflected effort. It marked the Irishman’s inaugural goal for Southampton, having joined on a free transfer from Bristol City during the summer window.
From that point, the home side dominated every facet of play. Ryan Manning’s short corner rattled a post, signalling the growing pressure. Larin restored parity in the 25th minute.
Manning delivered a deep free‑kick that the Canadian struck powerfully, maintaining his perfect scoring record in the league this season. Thirteen minutes later, Scienza showcased his pace by slipping past Jake Cooper, sprinting down the flank, lofting the ball over goalkeeper Max Crocombe and setting up an easy finish for Azaz.
Despite Southampton’s surge, Millwall could have equalised before the interval. Kyrell Lisbie smashed a shot against the post after Arconte supplied a clear‑cut chance on the counter‑attack. The second half began with the re‑introduction of veteran James Ward‑Prowse, whose presence further lifted the home crowd.
The Saints’ joy intensified when Azaz was brought down in the box by Cooper; Scienza calmly slotted the ensuing penalty, extending the lead. The crowning moment arrived in the 62nd minute when Larin produced the match’s most spectacular goal.
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 thrust into goal after Lukas Jensen’s injury – with no chance. Larin was on the verge of a hat‑trick, but Crocombe’s heroic one‑on‑one save denied him.
Southampton’s fifth goal came from Tom Fellows, who celebrated a year since his arrival at St Mary’s by firing past Crocombe, sealing a comfortable 5‑1 victory and marking the Saints’ twelfth unbeaten home league match. After the game, Tonda Eckert praised his striker: “It feels great to add points. 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 when you’re unsure. He takes responsibility for the team and does a lot behind the scenes that isn’t visible publicly, which makes him invaluable. He could have taken the hat‑trick, but he didn’t, so I subbed him off!” Millwall’s Alex Neil expressed disappointment: “It was a strange game – we were strong for the first 25 minutes, took the lead and should have added another while we were on top. Our goals looked poor to us, and we lacked the resilience and grit we normally show in the final twenty minutes.
I’m bitterly disappointed with how it ended.” The result not only restores Southampton’s confidence after the points deduction but also sends a clear message to the rest of the Championship: their attacking firepower, led by Larin’s clinical finishing, is a force to be reckoned with. Millwall, meanwhile, must regroup and find the tenacity that has defined their early season form if they hope to bounce back from this heavy setback.