REPORT: Saints ease past ten-man Posh

Southampton 2-1 Peterborough

Two early goals from Richard Chaplow and Jos Hooiveld allowed Saints to saunter past Peterborough, who had Lee Frecklington sent off before the break.

The home side had more chances to extend their lead in the second half, but Paul Jones made some good saves to deny Rickie Lambert on several occasions.

Southampton got off to a flying start when Chaplow took advantage of some questionable Peterborough defending and beat Jones with a low drive.

Three minutes later, a quick free kick caught the visitors off guard and Hooiveld finished from close range. Posh were stunned and it got even worse when Frecklington was given his second yellow card, reducing the visitors to ten men before half time.

Southampton kept the pressure on Posh after the break. However, they couldn't find a way to extend their lead. Lambert could have had a second-half hat-trick but spurned several good opportunities.

A good move from Peterborough allowed Emile Sinclair to pull a goal back, but the home side didn't panic. Substitute Steve De Ridder turned the screw late on, and was unlucky not to score - but shot wide of the mark.

BLOG: Saints Still Cruising

Saints hardly broke sweat as they brushed aside Middlesborough.

Before Saturday's big clash between two of the best teams in the league, no-one could have predicted Saints winning so comfortably.

However, it was one of Southampton's most accomplished and confident displays of the season, and Boro were lucky they only lost by three goals.

Three factors seemed to produce the 3-0 win. Firstly, Southampton are incredibly comfortable at St Mary's. The last team to beat Southampton at home were Manchester United - who defeated Saints in the FA Cup in January.

It has been years since Saints had a belief that they can win every game. Even last season's promising campaign in League One didn't produce this sort of feeling throughout the whole squad.

That aside, the decision to play Guly Do Prado up front with Rickie Lambert worked wonders. The Brazilian is best used down the middle, and was effective in the air, scoring with two headers.

When Guly is confident, he is a completely different player - and hopefully he can go from strength to strength. His partnership with Lambert isn't an obvious one at first glance. Although Lambert couldn't find the net against Boro, he did everything but score. He played very important roles in two of his side's goals - and is looking hungry.

Boro's defending at St Mary's was almost laughable. I'm all for attacking football, but Boro neither looked solid at the back or produced much to trouble Kelvin Davis. When West Ham visited St Mary's a couple of weeks ago, they were playing for a draw.

OK, it didn't work as Saints scored before half time. However, they at least had a plan, and understood the threat Saints pose at St Mary's. Southampton will have to get used to teams sitting back against them at home, and will have to be at their best in every game.

It is still very early days, but Southampton are looking incredibly strong at home. The next team to try their luck at St Mary's is Peterborough. Posh shouldn't be under-estimated, though, and don't find goals hard to come-by themselves.

REPORT: Saints Thrash Boro

Southampton 3-0 Middlesborough

Saints eased to victory over fellow promotion candidates Middlesborough with an accomplished performance at St Mary's.

Two early goals from Guly Do Prado and a late strike from substitute David Connolly helped maintain Nigel Adkins' side's impressive home form.

Boro were expected to give Saints a stiff test, but in truth - the home side dominated from start to finish. It look only 15 minutes for Southampton to open the scoring. Do Prado, playing up front alongside Rickie Lambert - headed home after a pinpoint cross from Danny Butterfield.

It didn't take long for the Brazilian to double his tally as some questionable Boro defending allowed Lambert to head the ball across goal, and Do Prado was waiting to nod home to give the hosts a healthy lead.

Do Prado had a glorious opportunity to seal his hat-trick but his scuffed shot came back off the post and away to safety.

Saints continued their dominance with Boro's best chance falling to Scott McDonald but he shot wide of the mark. Jack Cork forced a good save from Boro keeper Jason Steele before good work from Ricard Chaplow set up Jose Fonte, but again Steele saved well.

A patient passing move and brilliant fake by Lambert set up Connolly in acres of space, who lashed a powerful shot into the net to end any chance of a Boro fightback.

BLOG: Is It Time To Start Thinking Of Promotion?

Last night reminded me of the good old days at St Mary's.

A sell-out for a big game on a Tuesday evening brought much of the city's roads to a standstill. The passion at the club hasn't been stronger in years, and with Saints sitting five points clear at the top of the table, is it time we start forgetting about survival and turn our heads towards promotion to the Premier League?

The Saints have made a perfect start to their return to the second tier of English football. Southampton's form isn't utterly surprising, given the financial situation and the stature of the club. However, the Championship is one of the toughest leagues in Europe - and Saints are certainly turning some heads. With six straight home wins, and another eight points on the road - things are looking bright for the Saints.

However, we shouldn't get carried away. It is only October. It is great to see Saints topping the league, but we're only a quarter of the way through a very demanding season.

Southampton are likely to pick up a few injuries along the way. Although Saints lead the league in goals scored, there is a notable lack of depth up front. Rickie Lambert looked tired against West Ham, as did David Connolly. Saints have a lot of games before Christmas, and it is only going to get tougher for the front two.

Nigel Adkins tried to sign a striker before the transfer window shut, and he will surely look to add some fire power in December. Southampton's midfield is fairly strong. Although Adam Lallana has missed the last two games, Saints continued to dominate in midfield with Richard Chaplow and Jack Cork stepping up. Lallana is injury-prone, and with Saints' depth in midfield, Adkins will not have to overuse the 23-year-old.

Saints have a tough fixture list up until the Christmas break. Games against in-form Crystal Palace, Middlesborough and Peterborough are mixed with big games against Reading and Brighton. The next few weeks will be a big test for Saints.

It is far too early to be even thinking about promotion. However, if Southampton can weather a harsh run up to Christmas, they can maybe start thinking about promotion. Just maybe.

Saints Go Five Points Clear

Southampton 1-0 West Ham

A headed goal from Jos Hooiveld sent Southampton five points clear at the top of the Championship table.

Hooiveld's goal came just before half time, and West Ham's 'Route One' style was unable to beat Kelvin Davis in the second half.

The Hammers made the brighter start and Matt Taylor forced an early good save from Davis. Saints dominated possession and territorially in a gritty first half, but produced very little to test Manuel Almunia.

Baldock forced another good save from Davis, and the defensive scare seemed to rally Saints. Rickie Lambert and David Connolly found it hard to make an impact - with Richard Chaplow pulling the strings in the absence of Adam Lallana.

Saints' persistence paid off when Hooiveld leapt to meet a corner and his thumping header was too strong for the visitors to stop. It was a big blow for West Ham, coming just before the break.

Sam Allardyce didn't give up on his preferred direct method of play. The Hammers were reliant on John Carew winning arial balls, but with little support and a strong centre-back pairing of Hooiveld and Jose Fonte - West Ham were short on ideas.

Southampton created several chances to increase their lead as they grew in confidence. Guly do Prado wasted several good opportunities, and Connolly shot wide from a tight angle.

A slip by Fonte allowed Baldock to race though on the Southampton goal, but his shot crept agonisingly wide. A good ball in by Mark Noble, deflected onto the post and away to safety, and despite a few nervy minutes late on - Saints hung on to record their 8th win of the season. Southampton have won all six home league games so far this season.

Lambert hat-trick sees off Forest

Southampton 3-2 Nottingham Forest

Southampton came from behind to extend their unbeaten home record to 12 games. Rickie Lambert's hat-trick sealed the three points which keeps Saints second in the Championship table.

It was the visitors to St Mary's who started brightly, and Forest went ahead when Matt Derbyshire prodded the ball home from close range. Saints responded moments later however, when Lambert grabbed his first goal - scoring on the rebound after Lee Camp had stopped David Connolly's shot.

Saints then forced themselves in front as Lambert headed home from close range after Adam Lallana flicked a good ball on.

Forest had the final say in a pulsating first half as Derbyshire set up Radoslaw Majewski for an easy finish to tie up the game.

Southampton came out positively in the second half, but they had to wait until the final ten minutes to find the winning goal. Danny Fox's perfect ball in was met by a powerful header from Lambert who sealed his hat-trick and the important three points for Saints.

Saints rode their luck at times, but will be more than happy with a big win - their first over Forest since 1997. Next for Nigel Atkins' side is a trip to Birmingham, where a win could turn Saints into true promotion candidates.

No new striker - but Saints sign Celtic defender

The transfer deadline passed with the Premier League top teams splashing the cash. However, at St Mary's, only one player arrived - Jos Hooiveld.

Southampton were linked with several potential strike partners for Rickie Lambert including Jermaine Beckford and Jay Rodriguez, but no deal could be struck.

Nigel Atkins said before deadline day that he would not be forced into panic buying, and perhaps the good form of David Connolly prevented Atkins from spending.

Hooiveld is an experienced physical centre-half, an ideal partner for Jose Fonte. The Dutchman has struggled to tie down a place in the Celtic first team, and spent time on loan at FC Copenhagen last season. The 28-year-old has signed on loan until January and is a welcome addition to a stretched defence. Saints fans should not worry about the lack of transfer activity. Jack Cork was a fantastic buy, and Atkins has held onto Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Jose Fonte and got a very good deal for Alex Chamberlain.

Although Saints currently sit second in the Championship table, they must not get carried away. Although promotion is the ultimate aim, survival is a must. With the team they have built, Hooiveld should be a great addition.