Southampton strike early to strengthen play-off push | OneFootball

Southampton beat Oxford United 2-0 at St Mary's to remain sixth in the Championship play-off places.

Early on, Oxford United's Ciaron Brown saw a header saved. In the sixth minute, Cyle Larin tapped in Tom Fellows' cross, and Shea Charles doubled the lead with a right-footed strike from outside the box (13.), set up by Cameron Archer after a corner.

After the restart, a brief injury stoppage for the home goalkeeper paused the tempo. Jamie Cumming then kept the visitors in the game, saving from Ross Stewart and later tipping over James Bree's long range effort.

Around the hour mark, the Saints freshened the front line and continued to threaten, with Fellows rattling the bar and Charles drawing another stop as the hosts controlled territory.

Saints had 69% possession and recorded 20 attempts, seven on target. Oxford United produced one effort on target from nine attempts.

Oxford United drop from 22nd to 23rd in the relegation zone. Next, the Saints host Arsenal in the FA Cup, while Oxford United host Hull in the Championship.