Report: Larin stings Hornets with crucial debut goal
A debut goal for deadline day signing Cyle Larin was the crucial difference at St Mary's Stadium, as Saints made it four games unbeaten with a 1-0 win over Watford.
The Canadian striker announced himself in style just three minutes into his Saints career, with a powerful, diving header in front of the Northam Wall.
The match-winning goal breathed life into an otherwise less-than-thrilling affair, but it provided a much needed win to propel Saints up into the top half of the table as their growing momentum continues.
Tonda Eckert had named an unchanged side from last week's win over Stoke City, with Larin on the bench alongside a return for Sam Edozie who came on for his first appearance since August 2024.
Cyle Larin - Saints' debut match-winner. (Photos: Matt Watson)
Coming into the contest after three games without defeat, there was almost a nightmare start at St Mary's for Saints in the first action of the lunchtime kick-off.
A heart in mouth moment for the home support after just two minutes as goalkeeper Daniel Peretz was caught on the ball by Mamadou Doumbia, which saw a chance fall for Edo Kayembe who's gifted opportunity was deflected wide by the scrambling defence.
Following the early scare, neither side was able to get a firm grip on the clash as the first half developed; Doumbia was next to go close for the visitors when he swung a leg at a loose ball from a corner, but his shot flashed wide at the far post.
Saints first clear cut opportunity arrived in the 20th minute after a slick move down the right wing that saw Tom Fellows release Flynn Downes on the overlap, who in turn cut the ball back to Ross Stewart inside the penalty area.
The Scottish striker adjusted his feet and placed a shot towards the bottom right corner, aided by a minor deflection, but was denied by an excellent stretching save by Egil Selvik who lunged to his right almost in slow motion.
Saints were slowly building momentum, helped by Downes' role as a tough-tackling linchpin, who won the ball back high again to force an opening that ended in Finn Azaz firing straight at Selvik under pressure.
Downes was again involved in the heart of midfield as he won the ball with a crunching challenge that caused him to stay down as Saints attacked - the opportunity came to nothing but Watford countered with Downes still out of action in the centre circle, and Othmane Maama almost made the advantage pay as he lashed a powerful half-volley towards goal that was saved by Peretz.
Finn Azaz came close in the first half.
That spell proved to be Downes' final action as he was withdrawn less than 10 minutes later, unable to carry on with the effects of the forceful tackle.
It was the visitors' turn to take control for a spell in the closing stages of the half, and their best chance fell after another swift counter attack as Kayembe picked out Giorgi Chakvetadze on the right whose eventual shot was high and wide.
The final opening saw Chakvetadze turn creator as he dug out a cross from the left wing, which floated dangerously across the penalty area without a telling touch.
Into the second half, and the game continued in the way it had left off with neither side able to forge a foothold; Imran Louza had two bites at a chance from the edge of the area for Watford, but saw his powerful strikes blocked then held by Peretz.
At the other end, Leo Scienza reacted well to a bouncing ball that Stephen Mfuni had failed to clear, allowing the Brazilian to nip in and race through one-on-one only for Selvik to get down well and save the goalbound shot.
The chance had rallied the home crowd, however, and Saints' tails were up as the game moved past the hour mark.
Tonda Eckert made a double change to introduce Edozie to the action - on for his first appearance in 18 months - and debutant Larin, in a move that inadvertently changed the game.
Just three minutes later, Larin had lift off and St Mary's had a new hero as the deadlock was finally broken by Saints' newest arrival.
An inswinging corner from James Bree was inviting, and the Canadian striker launched himself towards the ball to plant a powerful diving header beyond Selvik in the Watford goal, announcing himself in front of the Northam Wall in an instant.
Larin launches himself into the history books.
One goal was all either side needed after the spectacle so far and, after the first 70 minutes had passed with little to remember, the final 20 ticked over with fervent anticipation of a fourth game unbeaten.
Watford almost spoiled the occasion late on when an impressive leap from Kayembe was met by an off-target header, but the closing stages passed by with minimal pressure.
The referee's final whistle was met with equal parts relief and celebration, with the victory moving Saints up to 12th and four points away from the play-off places before the rest of the weekend's Championship action.
Southampton: Peretz, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens (c), Welington, Downes (Charles 38'), Jander, Fellows (Wood 90'), Azaz, Scienza (Edozie 67'), Stewart (Larin 67').
Unused substitutes: McCarthy, Jelert, Manning, Matsuki, Archer.
Goals: Larin (70').
Bookings: Harwood-Bellis (53'), Bree (75'), Charles (90+2').
Watford: Selvik, Ngakia (Petris 85'), Mfuni (Goglichidze 70'), Abankwah, Bola, Louza (c), N. Mendy (F. Mendy 85'), Kayembe, Chakvetadze, Doumbia (Kjerrumgaard 63'), Maama (Baah 85').
Unused substitutes: Baxter, Grieves, Ince, Semedo.
Goals: N/A.
Bookings: Chakvetadze (66').
Referee: Elliot Bell.
Attendance: 27,721.
