KURYU Matsuki shone the brightest of several stars as Saints showed their best version in a convincing 5-0 win over QPR at St Mary’s.
Matsuki, 22, bagged a brace from the right as Saints strolled to three points against a side who started the evening level on points with them.
Leo Scienza, Finn Azaz and James Bree also got in on the action to fire Saints up the Championship table, leaving them one place below the play-offs.
Here’s how we rated every player on a fantastic Tuesday evening…
Daniel Peretz – 7.
Had little to do outside of a routine save to deny Harvey Vale and some strong sweeping. Did not oblige fan calls for a wave in the final minutes as he was utterly focused on keeping another clean sheet for the club. He’ll be happy with a comfortable evening.
James Bree – 7.
Did oblige calls from fans when they shouted shoot, and cracked the back of the net from outside the box in the process to keep his good form. Won the majority of his duels as QPR winger Koki Saito had the fewest touches of any player to manage 90 minutes.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 8.
The goal scorers will get a lot of praise, but Saints would not have limited QPR as much as they did without this man. Won more duels (nine) than anybody else and hit the woodwork. Made an excellent recovery tackle when the visitors had a rare sight of goal.
Jack Stephens – 7.
Partnered with Harwood-Bellis really well as Saints managed their fourth clean sheet since switching to a back four. Made seven recoveries and completed the most passes without making his side idle in possession. Intangible importance as a leader, too.
Ryan Manning – 7.
Another good operator, showing what he can do when playing towards his best. Created three chances, although he was on some corners. Deserves credit for ensuring Saints were watertight at the back, and is becoming a very well-respected member of the dressing room.
Flynn Downes – 7.
Was given a standing ovation when subbed late on after another good performance. Had fewer moments to show his best side defensively because Saints dominated the game, but they would not have ticked without him in the middle. Avoided a booking and ban.
Caspar Jander – 7.
Went into the book for a silly challenge early on, but hardly put a foot wrong after that. Was denied from close range, having shown silky feet. Linked up well with key man Azaz. Also managed three tackles – more than any other player – during 90 minutes.
Kuryu Matsuki – 9.
Comfortably his best Saints performance and marked the evening with two goals. Left unmarked to head in his first before firing a rebound past Joe Walsh for the second. Showed a good touch and worked really well off the ball, winning it high and wide.
Finn Azaz – 8.
Proved his doubters wrong, having been questioned following recent performances, by thumping in the opener and playing Scienza through with an excellent pass for goal number four. Combined well with Matsuki – hopefully a partnership is brewing there.
Leo Scienza – 8.
He was a real handful for Amadou Mbengue. Scored a typical ‘Leo Scienza goal’, cutting in off the left, sending a defender to the floor, before firing into the net, having spoken about his position with the boss. Knocked in an inviting corner for Matsuki to head home, too.
Cyle Larin – 7.
May not have scored, or even had a shot on goal, but showed excellent holdup play on the rare occasion he received the ball. Everything seemed to happen around him. He was in a good position to score once but was left waiting as Scienza scored his goal. Still, very good.
Substitutes
Cam Archer – 6.
Came on when the game had already been won and did not make much of a mark – not that Saints needed him to – which is a theme for all of the players listed below.
Ross Stewart – 6.
ouched the ball fewer times than Archer and was really a continuation of what happened with Larin, suggesting it was a tactical decision to avoid hitting the big man.
Sam Edozie – 6.
Continues to build up his minutes following a recent reintroduction to the side and looked alright here without doing anything to get you off your seat. More to come, though.
Tom Fellows – 6.
Saw less of the ball than Edozie during a cameo where he would have wanted to make a mark, having watched Matsuki, who replaced him, score a brace earlier on.
Shea Charles – N/A.
No rating as he came on with less than 10 minutes of regular time to go. Was unlucky to lose his place in the starting lineup, although he is not long back from two hamstring injuries.
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