Saints dug in for a tenacious victory that propels them into the top six thanks in part to Russell Martin’s careful team selection. Martin chose the strongest team he could field and made the fewest changes possible.
The starting lineup that the Saints manager prefers is taking shape, with Charly Alcatraz replacing Che Adams from the team that faced Rotherham. Southampton fans appeared to be split going into this game, with some believing the team should easily win and others believing it would be another disaster. In reality, neither of those things happened.
Hull as always going to be tough, after all they started the fixture above us in the League albeit only on goal difference, but they were unbeaten at home this season in a run stretching back to March.
This was another game were Saints had to roll up their sleeves and battle.
This they did and they drew first blood with a well taken opening goal on 20 minutes when a great run by Kyle Walker Peters saw him pull the ball back for Will Smallbone to slot home.
But the lead would not last long, just 5 minutes to be exact when Liam Delap, a one time Saints target and son of former Saint Rory Delap, poked the ball home from close range.
The rest of the half saw Hull trying to gain the ascendancy, but never quite managing to do so as Saints kept their shape and their concentration with the back four standing resolute, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jan Bednarek being outstanding.
At half time it was 1-1 and this was probably a fair reflection of the game with both sides having chances and only some good defending keeping the scoring level.
The first 20 minutes or so of the second half followed the pattern of the first half, but as the game went past the hour mark you felt that Saints were slowly getting the upper hand and that the home side were tiring.
Hull were first to introduce fresh legs and they did so with a double change on 65 minutes, but it would be Saints on 69 minutes who with their double change showed why they can truly make changes that can change games, off went Alcaraz & Sulemana and on came Che Adams & Sam Edozie and the game had changed.
Hull were still a threat on the break, but it was Saints who were getting the ball and passing it and creating the chances.
But the winning goal did not seem like it would come, however Russell Martin was still not finished with his changes, Hull had brought on two further changes, both young players with little experience, but we had the strength in depth to make three.
Shea Charles on for Smallbone to give fresh legs in the midfield, Sekou Mara on for Adam Armstrong likewise and Ryan Fraser for Stuart Armstrong suggested that the manager felt the game was still to be won.
Saints did not seem to be content to settle for the point and by now we were on top, but did we have enough time to make the changes count.
Turns out we did when in a goal similar to our opener it was Flynn Downes who this time got to the byeline and pulled the ball back and there was Ryan Fraser to finish with aplomb and send the Saints fans wild and the home fans heading to the exits with just seconds left of 5 minutes of injury time.
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