Report: Mubama and Manning strike late to sink Stoke

Saints got off to the perfect start through Cyle Larin's composed one-on-one finish after just six minutes, but were pegged back by Ethan Galbraith's equaliser 20 minutes later.

Increasing pressure in the second half eventually paid off in the closing minutes for Tonda Eckert's side, as substitute Mubama struck a well-taken goal against his former loan side before Manning converted a penalty to wrap up the three points with a more comfortable-looking scoreline.

Saints' Head Coach made three changes for the first home game of the season, keeping to his word by bringing Finn Azaz into the starting line-up as revealed in Friday's pre-match press conference.

Nathan Wood and Tom Fellows were the other starters, as Cameron Bragg and Lewis Dobbin dropped to the bench with Taylor Harwood-Bellis absent from the matchday squad altogether.

For the visitors, instant debuts were handed to two signings that arrived earlier in the week as striker George Hirst and defender Ben Johnson, who both won promotion with Ipswich Town last season, slotted straight into Mark Robins' side.

St Mary's paid tribute to Kevin Keegan before kick-off. (Photo: Matt Watson)

Within four minutes the first chance of the afternoon fell to the visitors, who were also hoping for a response to an opening day defeat; Ben Gibson's header from a deep free-kick was only diverted into the arms of Daniel Peretz for an early sighter.

Saints then went one better with their first opening, though, as Larin opened the scoring in no time at all to continue his confident start to the campaign.

The Canadian was played through on goal by Flynn Downes' halfway line pass, and raced clear of the defence before calmly slotting the ball home with the confidence of a World Cup goalscorer who has netted in each of the first three competitive matches this season.

The energy around St Mary's was raised from its already passionate pre-match levels, as Saints denied an instant riposte thanks to Nathan Wood's strong block that more than matched Hirst's 18-yard effort.

Cyle Larin celebrates his opening goal. (Photo: Matt Watson)

However, the visitors eventually found their way back after the game settled once more, as summer signing Ethan Galbraith struck the equaliser.

Lively midfielder Bae Jun-ho skipped past Kuryu Matsuki's attempted tackle in midfield before feeding Sam Gallagher on the right, whose low cross was allowed to fizz through the Saints defence into the path of Galbraith who stroked the ball home without breaking stride.

That goal turned the tide as Stoke had their tails up, and a series of speculative shots were blocked on the edge of the box as Saints had to repel the visitors again.

Saints could only force half chances before the first half came to an end, with Finn Azaz blazing over from the edge of the area following a half-cleared corner.

A neat move in the final minutes should have resulted in at least a shot on goal when Leo Scienza clipped a pass into Matsuki's feet on the edge of the box, who in turn flicked the ball to Larin who stood firm in the area but was eventually hounded out by the Potters' defence before he could turn and fire at goal.

The second period took some time to get going in comparison to the first, as both sides traded spells of possession before Saints truly established a foothold.

After shifting the ball across the edge of the box, an eventual cross from Fellows was just out of reach for Larin's attempted overhead kick, only for the former to be flagged offside - the chance may have amounted to nothing, but it signalled a shift in momentum on and off the pitch.

Saints were turning the screw after the hour mark, as another Fellows cross caused trouble and wasn't cleared fully, allowing Matsuki to try his luck with an airborne half volley that flew narrowly over the crossbar.

From a corner just moments later, Saints struck the post when Scienza's inswinging delivery deflected off Ben Johnson's head and onto the woodwork, much to the relief of the travelling supporters.

Ryan Manning was next to try his luck as he shot over the crossbar after Scienza's initial mis-hit in the area, before Larin again fired towards goal but was denied by a smart Viktor Johansson save.

Saints' main goal threat was withdrawn as the game neared the final ten minutes, during a double change that saw Divin Mubama introduced against his former loan side alongside Lewis Dobbin.

Divin Mubama announced himself to the St Mary's crowd in timely fashion. (Photo: Matt Watson)

The pair nearly combined for a late winner when a lofted pass was cleverly flicked on by Mubama into Dobbin's path, but the first time shot that followed was saved with the offside flag raised.

Moments earlier, great movement in the box by Mubama positioned himself nicely to meet yet another Fellows cross, but the outstretched arm of Johansson redirected the ball into the path of Azaz for a volleyed attempt that flew over.

A late goal felt like it was brewing, and it was Mubama who delivered in the final minute of normal time to silence the away end chants and send St Mary's into raptures on his first home outing for the club - his perfectly timed run in the box was picked out by Azaz, before the 21-year-old striker confidently slotted into the bottom corner.

With Stoke's heads already down, Saints added further gloss to the score from the penalty spot when Sam Edozie was bundled over by Svante Ingelsson and Manning converted into the bottom right corner.

A much-needed three points kicks off a busy week at St Mary's, as Saints will be aiming to back up their return to winning ways with Carabao Cup and Championship action to come.

Southampton: Peretz, Bree, Wood, Stephens (c), Manning, Downes, Matsuki Bragg (90+5'), Fellows (Edozie 90'), Azaz Akachukwu (90+5'), Scienza (Dobbin 78'), Larin (Mubama 78').

Subs not used: Long, Quarshie, Welington, Archer.

Goals: Larin (6'), Mubama (89'), Manning (90+4' pen).

Booked: Bree (19'), Downes (50').

Stoke: Johansson (c), Johnson, Wilmot, Gibson, Bocat (Talovierov 81'), Soumaré (Rigo 81'), Galbraith, Gallagher (Ingelsson 70'), Jun-ho, Thomas, Hirst (Bozenik 62').

Subs not used: Griffiths, Graham, Giani, Pearson, Manhoef.

Goal: Galbraith (26').

Booked: Gallagher (38'), Galbraith (62').

Red cards: Ingelsson (90+2')

Attendance: 29,185.

Referee: Steve Martin.