Southampton FC 5-3 Huddersfield: Daily Echo's player ratings

Saints were 2-0 and 3-2 down to the relegation battlers with Sorba Thomas, David Kasumu and Alex Matos on target for managerless Town.

But a Joe Rothwell double, a Tom Lees own goal and strikes from Sekou Mara and Sam Edozie kept Southampton second, a point ahead of Leeds who beat Rotherham.

Here is how we rated every Southampton player's performance on Saturday...

Gavin Bazunu - 6.

Returned between the sticks having been rested in the cup. Will be frustrated to get beaten from the edge of the box. Could not do much about their third, which dipped just in time to beat him. Did well to race off his line and clear from Sorba Thomas and Jack Rudoni.

Kyle Walker-Peters - 6.

Making his 150th club appearance. Tackled Thomas excellently to win a goal kick as the Welsh international looked to cross. Completed the most dribbles (5) and won the most duels (8).

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 6.

Part of a defence that conceded three goals. Attempted seven passes into the final third. Made some important defensive interventions. 

Jan Bednarek - 6.

Did not look as comfortable on the ball as usual in the first half and played a few loose passes. Better after the break. Played a good ball to Adam Armstrong, which the forward spurned.

Ryan Manning - 6.

Did not do enough for either of Huddersfield's first two goals. Booked for a dive in the box just after halftime. Completed the most passes in the game (93). Was fouled four times - the most of any player. 

Flynn Downes - 6.

Forced off in the first half. Tried to continue. Was 0-0 when he was taken off. Had made two recoveries. Hopefully not a serious injury. 

Will Smallbone - 7.

In deep conversation with Martin after a slow start from Saints. Beaten to a header for Huddersfield's second goal. Huddersfield's goal took a harsh deflection off him. Had 95 per cent pass accuracy. Was singled out for praise by Martin post-game. 

Stuart Armstrong - 6.

Part of a midfield that struggled to deal with the Huddersfield press in the first half. Delivered the corner that led to Joe Rothwell's first goal. Created two chances. Withdrawn on 71 minutes.

Adam Armstrong - 7.

Early flashes in the first half without doing anything too impactful.  Could not dink Lee Nicholls after racing through on goal. Also fired over from Bednarek's pass. Completed all of his dribbles and won four out of five duels. 

Ryan Fraser - 6.

Combined well with A Armstrong early on. Denied a penalty appeal after a good ball over the top from S Armstrong. Created two chances. Replaced by Edozie.

Che Adams - 5.

Only had 17 touches in the first half. Replaced at the break by Brooks. Was not found often enough by his teammates - but equally did not get into good enough positions. Did pick up a calf problem in the first half. 

Substitutes

Joe Rothwell - 9.

Introduced midway through the first half for the injured Downes with the score at 0-0. Got Saints back into the game with an amazing volley into the top corner early in the second half. Drew Southampton level moments later. Provided the cross which Tom Lees' turned into his own net.

David Brooks - 8.

Great impact from the bench. Got the assist for Rothwell's second goal and also set up Mara to fire into an almost empty net. Made a strong claim for a starting spot. Shuffled around positionally as further subs were made.

Kamaldeen Sulemana - 7. 

The least impactful of the five subs - although that is more of a credit to the others than a slight on Kamaldeen. Drove at defenders. Hit a tame shot into Nicholls' hands. Could not quite get onto Brooks' low cross in injury time. 

Sam Edozie - 8.

Got his goal having hit the post against Watford in the FA Cup on Tuesday evening. Another who injected pace and energy into Southampton's cause. 

Sekou Mara - 8.

Another inspired change by Martin. Came on for the captain A Armstrong. Scored the goal to put Saints in front before turning provider for Edoze. Could have had more goal involvements for a rampant Southampton.