SAINTS survived a late scare to win their seventh consecutive home fixture with a 2-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle.

Charly Alcaraz and Che Adams goals had Russell Martin's side cruising in the final match of 2023 but a Gavin Bazunu mistake made things tense in added time.

Ryan Hardie capitalised just as the fourth official signalled for an additional six minutes but it was the home side who went closer to the next strike. 

Here is how we rated the performances of Southampton's players... 

Gavin Bazunu - 6.

Not too much to do but did it well. Fairly came through a Plymouth attacker with his first chance to remind the home supporters what he is about. Got his footwork in a mess to gift Hardie a goal going into six minutes of added time. 

Kyle Walker-Peters - 8. 

Dangerous going forward all night as both Saints full-backs advanced on the Plymouth defence. Had some good box entries but final pass or shot was missing. Solid defending until pushed further forward following the introduction of Stephens, where he set Fraser up one-on-one.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 9.

Hit the post with a header in the first period and defended his box well in key moments. Unreal pass over the top for Adams goal was not even his first of the game. Some player and Southampton's man of the match in our opinion.

Jan Bednarek - 8.

No standout moments but exemplary in defence and on the ball again. Completed 134 out of 137 passes throughout the 90 minutes. Key player in this team. 

Ryan Manning - 7. 

Impressive curling pass for Adams to finish but the Scot was marginally offside. Good corner deliveries and attacking intent throughout. A bit lucky to get away with their ruled-out goal.

Shea Charles - 7. 

Strong to prevent Plymouth counters and displayed good passing range. Played the full 90 minutes at the base of midfield with Downes ruled out through illness. 

Will Smallbone - 6. 

Struggled to get to grips with the speed of the game to start with and was involved in a couple of moments of miscommunication. Not his most comfortable night.

Charly Alcaraz - 7. 

Having previously been deployed in the front three, Alcaraz was tasked with playing a little bit deeper in the midfield. Struggled in the first half but was well-denied by Hazard after the break following a good run and succeeded that with a fantastic strike for the opener.

Adam Armstrong - 7. 

Good cross in for Adams early on and tried to lob the keeper from the halfway line, dropping just narrowly over. A quieter evening followed and he handed over the armband to Stephens with 10 minutes to play.

Sam Edozie - 8. 

Had a couple of early moments but his biggest contribution was defensive, tracking the length of the pitch to tackle Whittaker as he primed to shoot. Credited with the assist for Alcaraz but it was a simple pass. Substituted off to a standing ovation. 

Che Adams - 8. 

Transfer window soon open. Finished a one-on-one but was ruled offside, looked close. Spurned one chance in first-half added time hitting straight at the keeper. Held off Gibson well and capitalised on the goalkeeper's inactivity to score his sixth of the Championship season. 

Substitutes 

Ryan Fraser - 6. 

The first three substitutes were all introduced with the side already two goals ahead. Should have killed the game one-on-one in added time but his low shot was saved.

Stuart Armstrong - 6.

Missed a free-kick in a good shooting position. Quiet otherwise and not the complete impact desired. 

Joe Aribo - 7. 

Went really close to a goal with a great curling effort from the edge of the area. Looked lively when he received the ball near the box.

Sekou Mara - 7. 

First action was some defensive work by his own corner flag, showing his work-rate. Got in a good area central to the goal to receive a cutback from Walker-Peters but his shot was blocked.

Jack Stephens - 6. 

Came on for the final 10 minutes. His bouncing back-pass was miscontrolled by Bazunu for Plymouth's goal but the fault probably lies with the keeper.