REJUVENATED Adam Armstrong scored his fourth in four for the season to give Saints a third win of the campaign with a 2-1 victory over QPR.

All three of those wins have come by that exact scoreline under manager Russell Martin, whose side are unbeaten this term and have taken 10 points from 12 available.

Samuel Edozie sent Saints on the right path to a first win at St Mary’s since March but the lead he had taken lasted just two minutes.

The experienced Jack Colback fired in off the post from range to pull QPR level in the first half on a day when Saints supporters were already concerned about transfer noise.

Martin made two changes to his starting XI at Plymouth Argyle with Nathan Tella in Germany to complete a move to Bayer Leverkusen and transfer noise also surrounding Che Adams.

Sam Amo-Ameyaw came in for his first league start while midfielder Charly Alcaraz returned from his minor knock, seeing Adam Armstrong deployed in the number nine once again.

It was a 100th league start for Kyle Walker-Peters at Saints, while new loan signings Flynn Downes and Ryan Fraser both made the bench – Mason Holgate was not registered in time.

Despite St Mary’s being a complete sell-out the atmosphere reflected what was largely seen on the pitch – and that made it flat.

Captain Jack Stephens had been lost early in the fixture due to injury, replaced by loan signing Downes for his debut, and could face a spell on the sidelines after being assisted off by physios.

Alcaraz had a couple of half-efforts but it was Edozie who first got a clear sight at goal, receiving from Ryan Manning and driving a shot through Asmir Begovic.

It was the 20 year old’s first goal for Saints on his 28th appearance and his celebration represented a fair amount of relief.

However, the lead he had given his side would last just two minutes before former Sunderland man Colback struck in off the post to level the scores.

Gavin Bazunu, who could not have done anything about the first, bailed his defence out with a top stop on the strolling Ilais Chair moments later.

Bazunu was forced into another stop just after the restart before QPR’s attack worked it to Paul Smyth and he thumped one off the crossbar to let Saints off the hook.

Martin waited little time to make changes and the introduction of Fraser for his club debut and young forward Sekou Mara paid dividends.

Fraser’s directness helped inspire the crowd and Southampton’s second goal came from his left side, after Manning fired into Armstrong’s feet in the area.

Armstrong, now in a midfield role, benefitted from an off-touch as it bounced up for him to swing a left boot across the ball and beyond Begovic in the net.

Fraser thought he would have a chance to score his first as he raced through in the last few minutes of regulation time but referee James Bell had already brought play to a stop.

It helped further slow the game down for Southampton, though, who had barely any trouble keeping their lead this time – Charles made an important intervention on one Rangers counter, before six minuted of stoppage time. 

Saints: Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Stephens (Downes, 25), Bednarek, Manning; Charles, S Armstrong, Alcaraz (Mara, 55); Amo-Ameyaw (Fraser, 55)  Edozie (Aribo, 83), A Armstrong.

Unused subs: Lumley, Bree, Djenepo, Doyle, Bella-Kotchap.

Booked: Manning, S Armstrong, Alcaraz, Fraser.

QPR: Begovic; Kakay, Colback (Duke-Mckenna, 74), Cook, Field, Chair, Smyth (Adomah, 74), Fox, Dozzell (Kolli, 81), Paal, Armstrong.

Unused subs: Archer, Clarke-Salter, Dixon-Bonner, Larkeche, Aoraha, Bala.

Booked: Duke-McKenna, Field.

Referee: James Bell.