Finn Azaz and Flynn Downes secured Southampton a 2-0 victory at fellow play-off hopefuls Stoke as boss Tonda Eckert celebrated his 33rd birthday with a first Championship win on the road since November.
Saints have fallen short of expectations since last season’s humiliating relegation from the Premier League and turned to the German coach, initially on an interim basis, after sacking Will Still in November.
Eckert found himself under pressure during a shaky festive period, but the mood at Southampton has improved somewhat after following a win against Sheffield United and derby draw at Portsmouth by beating Stoke.
Mark Robins’ side were outplayed from the outset on Saturday lunchtime, with Azaz finishing an excellent move early into a match that Saints strengthened their grip on when Downes prodded home just after half-time.
Daniel Peretz tipped Stoke substitute Tatsuki Seko’s late volley onto the post as Southampton wrapped up a first away league win in 10 weeks.
Adam Armstrong and Cameron Archer were conspicuous by their absence from the visitors’ squad amid speculation ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline, but Taylor Harwood-Bellis started despite West Ham’s interest.
The defender made a wonderful contribution after just 10 minutes at the bet365 Stadium by sending an exceptional defence-splitting pass through to Tom Fellows, who continued to cut across for Azaz to tap in.
Peretz nearly undid that with a goalkeeping gaffe but then showed his quality by superbly stopping a Bae Jun-ho strike from distance.
Saints attempted to kick on from those scares. Tommy Simkin saved a Fellows snapshot after brilliantly being put behind by Azaz, who was furious to be shown a yellow card for an apparent dive in the box.
The playmaker felt he was caught by Ashley Phillips, but referee Farai Hallam was having none of it.
This was the official’s first match since infuriating Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola during his first Premier League match last weekend by sticking with his decision not to award a penalty against Wolves.
Southampton continued in the ascendancy and Robins made a triple change at the break but Stoke would fall further behind in the 52nd minute.
Ross Stewart flicked on a corner and Downes fell over trying to contact with the ball, only to react quickly to stab home at the near post.
Azaz went close to adding another with an audacious effort, with referee Hallam missing Phillips’ pull on Harwood-Bellis’ shirt at a corner.
That intensity eventually settled but Stoke offered little by way of threat – a far cry from the table-topping side that won August’s reverse fixture at St Mary’s.
Seko saw a volley tipped onto the post by Peretz late on but Stoke fans made their frustrations clear at full-time.
