Glenn Murray reacts live on BBC when asked if Southampton can get promoted | OneFootball

Glenn Murray has weighed in on whether Southampton can seal an immediate Premier League return following their FA Cup win over Fulham

Southampton continued their rich vein of form with a surprise FA Cup victory over Premier League outfit Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

The Saints beat Marco Silva's men 1-0 thanks to Ross Stewart's late winner from the penalty spot, and are now unbeaten in 10 games across all competitions.

Southampton's unbeaten run has included Championship wins against Sheffield United, Stoke City, Watford, Leicester City, Queens Park Rangers, and Sheffield Wednesday.

Tonda Eckert's side remain just four points adrift of the play-off places, even though they didn't have a second-tier game on the weekend, thanks to their FA Cup meeting with Fulham.

Glenn Murray delivers Southampton promotion verdict as Saints eye Premier League return

Southampton are vying for their fourth consecutive win across all competitions when they face relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, when asked by host Kelly Somers whether he thinks the Saints can seal an immediate Premier League return, former Brighton striker Glenn Murray told Match of the Day on Sunday: "They’ll certainly hope so, and we can see they’re in form and how well they’re playing at the moment, and I think the manager’s got them set up.

"The bravery they play with, the way they get forward in numbers at the right times. They’ve got every chance."

Southampton were one of two sides to cause an FA Cup upset on Sunday, with League One strugglers Port Vale defeating last season's Championship play-off winners Sunderland 1-0 thanks to Ben Waine's first-half strike.

Fulham triumph bodes well for Southampton as Championship play-off race heats up

The Saints have struggled against top-flight opponents in recent seasons, as evidenced by their finishes at the bottom of the Premier League both last year and in 2023.

However, following a tricky start to the season under former boss Will Still, the Hampshire club have finally found consistency under Eckert, and have a strong chance of booking their place in the Championship play-offs.

Southampton are one of several second-tier sides under pressure at the business end of the season, with a Premier League place left to fight for.

The fact that they were capable of overcoming current top-flight side Fulham should give them the confidence they need to earn positive results from this month's Championship clashes with West Brom, Coventry City, Norwich City, and Oxford United.

A trip to Coventry this Saturday will be a particularly tough test for the Saints, as the Sky Blues sit five points clear at the top of the league with 10 games remaining.

However, if Eckert's men produce the same version of themselves that beat Fulham, they are capable of defeating Frank Lampard's side at the CBS Arena.

Following their March fixtures, Southampton face Ipswich Town and Wrexham on Good Friday and Easter Monday, respectively.

The Tractor Boys can still win automatic promotion to the Premier League, whereas the Red Dragons are one of the Saints' main play-off rivals, meaning that Eckert's side will have to be at their best on Easter weekend.

Meanwhile, Stewart's goal against Fulham is a positive sign for the St Mary's Stadium club, as they need the 29-year-old to maintain his form following Adam Armstrong's exit.

The former Sunderland man could be the Saints' talisman throughout the rest of their promotion bid.