The Saints advanced [Southampton] to second place in the championship after dominating Swansea in the first half, with Che Adams’s six-minute-long penalty kick giving them the lead. Will Smallbone scored the second goal prior to Jamie Paterson’s counterattack via header for Swansea, which was against the flow of play. However, Southampton reestablished dominance of the game shortly thereafter when Flynn Downes’ 20-yard drive was deflected into the net. Substitute Jerry Yates and Paterson both struck the woodwork as Swansea rallied in the final stages, but their inability to capitalize on those late opportunities allowed Southampton to comfortably retain three points. The current unbeaten streak of 21 matches across all competitions by Southampton surpasses their previous highest mark of 20 games in 1921, which they achieved upon joining the Football League in 1920. This was a sweet outcome for Southampton manager Martin, who was greeted warmly upon his return to Wales for the first time since June, when he was appointed head coach of St Mary’s after leaving Swansea. However, it was a trying afternoon for Swansea manager Luke Williams, whose squad could not have been more disheartened by the loss in his debut home league match. Martin had a pleasant reconnection with Swansea on December 26, when the Welsh side succumbed to a 5-0 defeat following an early bright start. Since then, Swansea have appointed Williams, a former member of the club’s staff during Martin’s tenure in 2021–22. However, it became immediately apparent that Southampton would once again maintain a dominant position for extended periods of time. Adams had already failed to capitalize on a reasonable opportunity, slicing wide Ryan Manning’s cross-ball prior to converting Stuart Armstrong’s shot into his path after Carl Rushworth deflected it onto the rebound. Rushworth then made a pair of outstanding saves, the first for Ryan Fraser and the second for Adam Armstrong. However, Southampton scored the second goal when Stuart Armstrong, who appeared to be offside, crossed the ball in from the left and the unmarked Smallbone converted from point-blank range. Rushworth was once again denied by Adam Armstrong as Southampton swooped all over their hosts, but Swansea made a brief comeback with their best move of the first half.   Gavin Bazunu collided with Jamal Lowe, who was possibly offside, on a cross from Harrison Ashby from the right. As a result, Liam Cullen was able to loft the ball across the goal, where Paterson headed it in. Russell Martin acknowledges the ovation of the Swansea home crowd upon his return for the first time. Russell Martin acknowledges the ovation of the Swansea home crowd upon his return for the first time. But Swansea’s momentum was short-lived, as Southampton’s first goal came on the eve of Downes’ 25th birthday.  

  Although Downes, a former Swansea midfielder, refrained from celebrating, Southampton were beaming once more. Substitute Charlie Patino missed the target, and Paterson came close to a second goal for Swansea after the break as the game became more evenly matched. Rushworth saved a tap-in from Adams, and Fraser missed the far post with an unmarked shot, but Southampton also had opportunities. As time ran out, Swansea produced their best performance of the match. Yates saved a cross-shot from Paterson, and another attempt from Paterson was saved by the diving Bazunu. Downes scored his first goal for Southampton on his 25th birthday, and Swansea wasted two good opportunities, including one by Yannick Bolasie. Although Downes, a former Swansea midfielder, refrained from celebrating, Southampton were beaming once more. Substitute Charlie Patino missed the target, and Paterson came close to a second goal for Swansea after the break as the game became more evenly matched. Rushworth saved a tap-in from Adams, and Fraser missed the far post with an unmarked shot, but Southampton also had opportunities. As time ran out, Swansea produced their best performance of the match. Yates saved a cross-shot from Paterson, and another attempt from Paterson was saved by the diving Bazunu. In the last minutes, Swansea had two good opportunities to tie the game, but Yannick Bolasie went close both times.things interesting in that Swansea’s momentum was short-lived, as Southampton’s first goal came from Downes, who celebrated his 25th birthday. Although Downes, a former Swansea midfielder, refrained from celebrating, Southampton were beaming once more. Substitute Charlie Patino missed the target, and Paterson came close to a second goal for Swansea after the break as the game became more evenly matched. Rushworth saved a tap-in from Adams, and Fraser missed the far post with an unmarked shot, but Southampton also had opportunities. As time ran out, Swansea produced their best performance of the match. Yates saved a cross-shot from Paterson, and another attempt from Paterson was saved by the diving Bazunu. In the last minutes, Swansea had two good opportunities to tie the game, but Yannick Bolasie went close both times.Those last moments. credited to getty images