3-1 victory breaks 103-year-old Southampton recordNorwich secure hard-fought 2-0 win over West Brom
Russell Martin has warned his players that Southampton’s new unbeaten club record will not carry as much weight if the club fails to return to the Premier League. Southampton broke a 103-year-old club record by extending their unbeaten run to 21 games with a 3-1 victory at Martin’s old club Swansea, lifting them to second place in the Championship, above Ipswich on goal difference.
First-half goals from Che Adams, Will Smallbone and Flynn Downes – his first for Saints coming on his 25th birthday and against his former club – put Southampton in control. However, they had to withstand late home pressure as Swansea twice hit the post and Gavin Bazunu made a couple of useful saves.
“It is a nice moment,” Martin said after his side completed Southampton’s best unbeaten run in all competitions since joining the Football League in 1920, eclipsing the 20 games undefeated achieved the following year. “I’m really grateful to the players for what they’ve done, the courage they’ve shown. I’m immensely proud. The way they did it in the first half, one of the best performances I’ve ever been involved in as coach.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work and they’ve really stepped up. They’ve written themselves in to the history books – and let’s keep it going. It will have more significance, importance and standing if we achieve what we want at the end of the season, otherwise it will be just something we’ve achieved together.”
Elsewhere, Norwich recorded a hard-fought 2-0 win over West Brom to move to within four points of the fifth-placed Baggies in the promotion race. Norwich found themselves on the back foot for long periods at Carrow Road but made two of their chances count. Josh Sargent scored his second goal since returning from an ankle injury to set the ball rolling early on before top scorer Jon Rowe doubled their advantage midway through the second half.