As Saints prepares to face Ipswich Town in the Premier League this Saturday, it's worth revisiting a historic FA Cup clash that showcased the Saints' dominance over their East Anglian rivals.

In January 1961, Southampton delivered a resounding 7-1 victory over Ipswich, a result that remains their biggest win in the competition.

The day of January 7, 1961 will forever be etched into the annals of Southampton Football Club.

At The Dell, Ted Bates' side welcomed Alf Ramsey's Ipswich Town for a third-round FA Cup tie. 

The Tractor Boys, a team destined for Second Division glory that season and eventual First Division champions the following year, were in for a shock.

Southampton, playing with a vibrant energy and attacking intent, utterly humiliated their opponents, running out 7-1 victors. 

The home side's dominance was so complete that they even managed to score Ipswich's only goal.

While a repeat of such a result in the modern era might seem unlikely, the 20,422 fans who witnessed this historic match were treated to a spectacle they would never forget. 

The teams had previously drawn 3-3 at Portman Road, but this encounter was a completely different story.

Southampton's attacking prowess was on full display from the outset. 

Within minutes, Tommy Mulgrew's through ball found George O'Brien, who calmly slotted the ball past the Ipswich goalkeeper. 

Mulgrew then turned scorer himself, converting a Terry Paine corner.

"Well, it would have to have been close range for me to score it," Mulgrew later recalled.

Paine was instrumental in Southampton's success, winning a penalty that O'Brien converted to make it 3-0. 

The Scottish striker completed his hat-trick with a stunning strike from distance, leaving the Ipswich defence in disarray.

Southampton continued their onslaught in the second half, with Harry Penk and Paine adding further goals.

Even Ipswich's consolation goal was a Southampton own goal, scored by John Page.

The Saints' performance was so dominant that some fans considered it even better than their 5-1 victory over Manchester City the previous season. 

As Mulgrew explained, "Ipswich were going for the championship that season, but we had a great team."

Penk, another key figure in the match, recalled, "They [Ipswich] were top of the league and did go up as champions in the end. So it was quite a win. Nobody expected it because they were doing so well."

George O'Brien was undoubtedly the hero of the day, securing a famous hat-trick. His performance was a testament to his skill and finishing ability. 

"It was a good game, they were a good side and it felt good beating them," he said. "Alf Ramsey came in after the game and said 'Well done lads' – as the tears were running down his cheeks."

O'Brien's hat-trick was just one example of Southampton's attacking prowess during that season. The team scored close to 100 goals in total, delighting their fans with their exciting brand of football.

Terry Paine, another Southampton legend, also played a crucial role in the victory. 

He believed that his performance impressed Alf Ramsey, who later became the England manager. Paine also praised O'Brien, whom he considered one of the best finishers in Southampton's history.

The 7-1 victory over Ipswich remains one of the most memorable moments in Southampton's history. It was a day of complete dominance, a display of attacking football at its finest. 

While the Saints may have struggled in subsequent seasons, this victory will always be remembered as a testament to their ability to produce extraordinary performances.