FootyChatter.com

Kaly Sene's equaliser at St Mary's means Southampton are now winless in six Championship games while Middlesbrough are seven matches unbeaten Substitute Kaly Sene maintained Championship leaders Middlesbrough's unbeaten start to the season as they came from behind to draw with Southampton. Five minutes after coming on, Senegalese forward Sene grabbed his second goal in two games with a deflected effort. It extends Boro's run to five wins and two draws under Rob Edwards as they remain four points clear at the top. But it is now six games without a league win for Saints, who are only two points clear of the bottom three. Captain Adam Armstrong had put them ahead just past the hour mark, but they could not hang on for a much-needed three points. Southampton boss Will Still had made no fewer than six changes to his starting line-up from the team that had lost at Hull City seven days before in search of a winning formula, including the goalkeeper and three of his four defenders. There have been no such problems for Edwards in his first few weeks at Middlesbrough and he watched wing-back Matt Targett strike the woodwork with a free-kick as they went close to taking the lead. However, Boro old boy Finn Azaz had Saints' best opportunity of the opening half when a Ryan Manning shot bounced into his path in the box but he shot over. But Armstrong provided the breakthrough just past the hour mark with a fine finish from Tom Fellows' cross for his second goal of the season, having managed 24 two seasons ago when Southampton won promotion out of the Championship. Edwards gambled to try to get back into the game, making five changes and it was one of those, Sene, who delivered. The signing from Swiss side Lausanne Sports got onto a long pass from Luke Ayling and his effort looped off Nathan Wood and beyond the recalled Alex Mc Carthy to ensure Boro keep their early season momentum ticking over. Southampton head coach Will Still told BBC Radio Solent: "The performance was really positive and really encouraging, but we need to change those into points and into wins. "They are top of the league for a reason, but we've completely nullified their threat, they've had to change their system and shape and I think they'll be pretty pleased with a point. "A lot of the players that played on Tuesday deserved to be back in the team and we need to find that balance - we're almost there. "We're fine-tuning things and we're a couple of hairs from turning interesting stuff into wins - that's what we need to do. " This video can not be played Will Still: 'I'm disappointed for the players' Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards told BBC Radio Tees: "I'm satisfied with the point. Overall the game was a tough one, you could sense that. "The crowd was really, really good with them, they made a hell of a lot of changes and surprised us with one or two. "We played well in the first half but gifted them some moments with some sloppiness. "We grew into it and we were dominant and then they scored. We had to click into gear, another level, we made some changes and found a way back in. "Last time we were away from home, we fought back. It's good character, impact again from the side and that's pleasing. The lads are adaptable and we found a way. " This video can not be played Edwards: 'We had to find another gear' Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 27th September 2025 at 17: 48 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Will Still Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Rob Edwards Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Will Still Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Rob Edwards Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Southampton have won four of their last seven league games against Middlesbrough (D1 L2), though failed to beat them either time when they last met in 2023-24 (D1 L1). Six of Middlesbrough’s last 10 away league games against Southampton have been drawn (W2 L2), with their last victory at St Mary’s coming in the Premier League in September 2003. Southampton have won just one of their last 20 league games (D6 L13), beating Wrexham 2-1 on the opening weekend this season. Middlesbrough’s 16 points this season is their best return after six games in any league campaign. They last went unbeaten in their first seven to a season back in 2011-12. No player has created more chances in the Championship so far this season than Southampton’s Ryan Manning (14). Caspar Jander (Southampton) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough). Foul by Adam Armstrong (Southampton). Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the right wing. Substitution, Middlesbrough. Alan Browne replaces Callum Brittain. Substitution, Middlesbrough. Sverre Nypan replaces Morgan Whittaker. Goal! Southampton 1, Middlesbrough 0. Adam Armstrong (Southampton) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Offside, Middlesbrough. David Strelec is caught offside. Foul by Joshua Quarshie (Southampton). Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Caspar Jander. Attempt blocked. David Strelec (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Morgan Whittaker. Adam Armstrong (Southampton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Adam Armstrong (Southampton). Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt blocked. Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum Brittain. Attempt missed. Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right following a set piece situation. Joshua Quarshie (Southampton) is shown the yellow card. David Strelec (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card. Foul by Joshua Quarshie (Southampton). Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.