Saints keep the pace with a 4–1 win over QPR and a 17-game unbeaten home run

Sunday 1 November 2026 · By Greg Holloway

Southampton beat QPR 4–1 at St Mary’s on Saturday to stay fifth, making it 17 home league games without a defeat.

Kuryu Matsuki scored on 11 minutes with a spinning finish after Leo Scienza’s run, six minutes after he had fired over when unmarked. Lewis Dobbin appeared to make it two before half-time, but the goal was chalked off after the officials decided that Jack Stephens, in an offside position, had interfered as the ball went in.

Tonda Eckert said the players had to reset: “you need to regulate your emotions because you can imagine players coming in [angry at half time] but you need to move on.” They did. Cameron Bragg scored his first Championship goal from Ryan Manning’s cutback, via a deflection, and Keven Schlotterbeck headed in Manning’s corner after 67 minutes. QPR’s Richard Kone replied 85 seconds later, but Welington added a fourth late on.

Saints have scored seven in their last two games, with six different scorers. Eckert said they had worked on set pieces during the week, and was pleased to see a defender score from a corner.

The table needs reading carefully. Southampton are fifth on 23 points, and that includes a four-point deduction for breaches of EFL regulations. They are level on points with Birmingham and Stoke and ahead on goal difference (+15). Without the deduction they would be on 27. As it stands, fifth would face eighth-placed West Ham in a play-off eliminator.

Eckert looked ahead to the week: “it’s two important ones.” Saints are at West Brom on Tuesday 3 November (kick-off 20:00 GMT) and at Preston on Saturday 7 November (15:00 GMT).

St Mary's Stadium

St Mary's is Southampton's home on Britannia Road (SO14 5FP), a compact single-tier bowl opened in 2001 and holding a little over 32,000. All four stands sit close to the pitch under a cantilever roof, so views are generally clear. The stands take their names from the city around them: the Itchen Stand on the east side faces the river and is the main stand, with the tunnel, dugouts, offices and hospitality. Opposite is the Kingsland Stand. The Northam Stand is behind the north goal and is now a home-only safe-standing end. The Chapel Stand sits behind the south goal.

Visiting supporters no longer sit in the Northam. Since 2024 the away allocation has been in the south-west corner, where the Chapel Stand meets the Kingsland Stand. Typical numbers are around 3,000, with safe standing in parts of that corner. The view is still a proper football one: you are beside the south goal rather than dead behind it, looking along the pitch toward the Northam. Large screens hang at both ends.

Approach from Chapel Road and Melbourne Street. Entry and exit for away fans is via Melbourne Street only. The away ticket office and turnstiles sit on the south side between Chapel and Kingsland; use turnstile E, with an accessible entrance nearby. Gates usually open 90 minutes before kick-off and the away ticket office opens about three hours before, closing shortly after the start. Bags should be no bigger than A4 and will be searched. The ground is cashless.

Southampton Central is about a mile away, a 20-minute walk. The club runs shuttle buses from the station and from Town Quay. Driving is awkward: local roads and the north and south car parks close about 90 minutes before kick-off. There is almost no general away parking on site (a handful of accessible spaces must be booked through your own club). Use city-centre or Ocean Village car parks and walk, or park and ride. Official coaches are directed to Melbourne Street.

There are few pubs right on the stadium doorstep that welcome both sets of fans. Browns on Millbank Street is the nearest mixed option. Ocean Village (Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis and nearby bars) is a short walk and popular before a game. Many travelling supporters drink in the city centre — Yates and similar spots on Above Bar Street — then walk or take the shuttle. Check current guidance from your club; hospitality and mixed pubs can change on high-profile fixtures.

Inside, concourse catering is step-free with lowered counters. Accessible toilets are on the away concourse; bring a RADAR key if you have one, though stewards can help. Wheelchair spaces for visitors are pitchside. A Changing Places room is in the Itchen Stand by prior arrangement with [email protected]. Banners over two square metres need a fire certificate; larger ones must be cleared with the safety officer.

Atmosphere at St Mary's is strongest from the Northam, now packed with home safe standing. From the away corner you will hear that end clearly and sit close to home supporters along Kingsland, so expect banter rather than a quiet afternoon. Sightlines are good from almost every seat. Arrive early, follow Melbourne Street in and out, and you will find a tidy, modern ground that is straightforward once you know the south side is yours.