Southampton already seeing benefits of holding off Sheffield United in January: View | OneFootball

Highlights

It has been an outstanding few months for Southampton in the Championship.

It was a tough start to the season for the Saints after their relegation from the Premier League, but after suffering four consecutive defeats in September, they have improved significantly.

Southampton extended their unbeaten run to 25 games in all competitions with a 5-3 win over Huddersfield Town in a dramatic encounter at St Mary's on Saturday.

The relegation-threatened Terriers have struggled away from home this campaign, but they established a two-goal lead before half time thanks to goals from Sorba Thomas and David Kasumu.

The Saints responded well after the break, and two goals in a minute from Joe Rothwell drew them level, but the visitors restored their lead shortly after through Alex Matos' deflected strike.

However, Southampton equalised in the 80th minute when Tom Lees diverted Rothwell's cross into his own net, and Sekou Mara put the hosts ahead four minutes later before Samuel Edozie sealed all three points late on.

Russell Martin's side remain second in the table, one point clear of third-placed Leeds United and four points clear of fourth-placed Ipswich Town.

Mara came on for Adam Armstrong in the 79th minute, and it was an impressive cameo from the striker as he contributed with a goal and an assist to help his side turn the game around.

It completes an excellent week for Mara after he scored twice in the 3-0 home win over Watford in the FA Cup on Tuesday night, and Southampton will be glad they kept hold of him in January.

January transfer interest in Sekou Mara

Mara joined the Saints from Bordeaux in July 2022 for an initial fee of £9.5 million, but it was a tough first season for the 21-year-old at St Mary's as he scored just two goals and provided three assists in 30 appearances in all competitions, with many of his minutes coming from the bench.

The striker again found his game time limited in the first half of this season, and it had looked as though he was heading for an exit in January amid reported interest from Lille, Marseille and clubs in Germany.

According to journalist Ed Aarons, Premier League outfit Sheffield United were "among several clubs" keen on Mara in the final week of the transfer window, but Southampton were reluctant to allow him to leave.

Speaking earlier in January, Martin had ruled out Mara's departure, and he revealed that he has been impressed with the French U21 international.

"He’s not going anywhere, no. It would be mad, wouldn’t it?" Martin told the Daily Echo.

Southampton are being rewarded for Sekou Mara stance

It was a big decision from Southampton to keep hold of Mara in January, and Martin should be praised for continuing to show faith in the striker.

Armstrong has been the Saints' talisman this season, but he cannot fire the Saints to promotion alone, and with a lack of other strikers at the club, Mara's emergence is incredibly welcome for Martin.

Martin's options in the forward areas have been depleted after Ross Stewart was ruled out for the season, while Carlos Alcaraz, who had been deployed in the number nine role at times this season, departed for Juventus in January.

Che Adams remained at St Mary's, but the 27-year-old has scored just seven goals since mid-August, so having an in-form Mara helps to take the pressure off Armstrong.

Mara is a player with huge potential, and his recent performances suggest he could have a big part to play in the second half of the season as his side look to secure automatic promotion.

As he proved against Huddersfield on Saturday, Mara is an excellent option for Martin to have in the squad, and after a number of impressive cameos, it seems inevitable he will soon be handed an opportunity from the start in the league.