Southampton End Away Drought With Convincing Win Over Stoke

Southampton fans finally have something to cheer about on the road, as their side clinched a commanding 2-0 victory over Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on January 31, 2026. This result marks the Saints’ first away league win since late November and injects fresh hope into a season that’s been anything but predictable in the Championship.

Heading into the lunchtime kick-off, both clubs carried their own burdens and ambitions. Stoke City, under Mark Robins, were eyeing a spot in the top six after a solid start to the new year, boasting two wins and two draws in their first five matches of 2026. But the Potters found themselves hamstrung by a daunting injury list—nine players unavailable, forcing several out-of-position selections and tactical reshuffles. Southampton, meanwhile, had endured a rough patch of their own, coming into the weekend five points behind Stoke and still licking their wounds from a 1-1 derby draw against Portsmouth just days earlier.

The build-up to this clash was dominated by swirling transfer rumors. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Adam Armstrong, and Cameron Archer were all subjects of intense speculation, with Premier League side West Ham United reportedly having a bid for Harwood-Bellis rejected on the eve of the match. Manager Tonda Eckert confirmed before kick-off, "There are some conversations at the moment. In the end, I think that we will find some solutions. I think that we will further reduce [the size of the squad] slightly." However, he made it clear that speculation wouldn’t distract from the task at hand, naming Harwood-Bellis in the starting eleven.

With a six-day rest behind them, Eckert’s Saints looked refreshed and determined. The manager opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Daniel Peretz in goal. The back four featured James Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Jack Stephens, and Welington, while Flynn Downes and Shea Charles anchored the midfield. In attack, Finn Azaz started on the left, Tom Fellows on the right, and Kuryu Matsuki in the center behind Ross Stewart, who got the nod over Armstrong amid transfer speculation. Notably, Léo Scienza, who’d picked up a groin injury at Fratton Park, was fit enough to feature and made his presence felt early.

The match exploded into life almost immediately. Within the frantic opening minutes, Scienza twice tested the Stoke defense, only to be denied by a combination of last-ditch defending and sharp goalkeeping. But Southampton’s energetic start soon reaped rewards. Harwood-Bellis, showcasing the kind of vision that’s made him a transfer target, launched a superb long-range pass from deep in his own half to Tom Fellows on the right flank. Fellows whipped in a precise cross, and Azaz arrived on cue to tuck the ball home from close range—his seventh goal in 25 appearances this season. The Saints were off and running, and the home crowd was stunned into silence.

Stoke, to their credit, tried to respond. Bae Jun-ho, one of the few bright sparks for the Potters, unleashed a fierce drive from outside the box that forced Peretz into an excellent one-handed save. Just before the interval, Jun-ho again found himself with a golden opportunity after Peretz spilled a cross, but the South Korean sliced his shot wide from a promising position. Stoke’s inability to capitalize on their chances would come back to haunt them.

After the break, Southampton’s discipline and organization came to the fore. They pressed with intent and managed the game superbly, never allowing Stoke to settle into any rhythm. The killer blow arrived following a corner: Downes, who had been industrious all afternoon, reacted quickest to a loose ball at the far post and flicked it in, doubling the Saints’ lead. It was a scrappy, opportunistic goal—perhaps not one for the highlight reels, but a testament to Southampton’s hunger and focus.

Stoke’s problems only deepened as the match wore on. Robins’ men struggled for cohesion, unable to break down a resolute Southampton back line. The Potters’ frustration was palpable, both on the pitch and in the stands. As the clock ticked down, the home side’s attacks became increasingly desperate, with misplaced passes and a lack of urgency undermining any hope of a comeback.

After the final whistle, Robins didn’t mince words. Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, he lamented, "When you come up against a really technical team who are really well fancied, they were on their game today and we weren’t. We gave them a cheap first goal but when we got pinned back, we allowed them to do that. We have to learn from that... They didn’t have to do a great deal to win that game, they found it really easy and that was the most disappointing thing for us." He went on to criticize his side’s lack of energy, tactical discipline, and fight, admitting, "We didn’t ever get a grip of the game and didn’t deserve anything from it. The players have been absolutely brilliant to this point but we didn’t show. That was one of Stoke’s worst performances of the season."

Across the technical area, Tonda Eckert was understandably more upbeat. "It’s a tough ground to come to. It’s not an easy place to play. We knew how important this was and we’ve been working for so long to earn more clean sheets. I think you can see that we are moving forward. Today the dead ball situations were on our side and that’s what makes a difference in the end. I definitely think we’re going in the right direction first and foremost. Obviously there are many more games to play. You know how quick things change in both directions. We need to take the positive from the last game to make sure we continue, especially with the home games coming up," Eckert told BBC Radio Solent.

The win, Southampton’s second in their last ten Championship outings, lifts them to within two points of Stoke, who now sit 11th in the table and have extended their own winless run to four matches. For the Saints, this victory could be a turning point—a much-needed confidence boost as they look to mount a late charge toward the play-offs. For Stoke, it’s back to the drawing board as they attempt to regroup after a bruising afternoon.

With the January transfer window slamming shut in just a few hours, all eyes will be on whether Southampton can keep hold of key assets like Harwood-Bellis and Armstrong. But for now, the focus is on the pitch, where the Saints have finally rediscovered their winning touch away from home. The Championship rollercoaster rolls on, and both sides know there are plenty of twists and turns still to come.