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Southampton are now unbeaten in 16 games in the Championship Cameron Archer came off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner and continue Southampton's remarkable charge for promotion from the Championship as they came from behind to beat Swansea. Marko Stamenic gave the hosts the lead in a dominant first half for the Welsh side, which saw Saints manage just one shot on target. But Tonda Eckert brought Shea Charles on at the break and the midfielder quickly made his mark, heading into the bottom corner to draw Saints level. Archer then secured all three points - and Southampton's seventh straight league win - in the closing minutes with his first touch after coming on, to also make it 16 games without defeat in the league for the south coast club. Wrexham's win against Stoke means Saints have not confirmed their top-six spot, but they remain firmly on track for at least the play-offs while remaining in the hunt for second place and automatic promotion. They move level on points with third-placed Ipswich - who play Middlesbrough on Sunday - and within a point of Millwall in second, while Swansea drop a place to 15th. How Eckert's Saints have made late promotion charge Wrexham revive play-off bid with Stoke win Millwall go second with win over QPR Southampton, who were a few points shy of the relegation zone when Will Still was sacked in November, firmly have momentum on their side with three games of the season to go, knowing that Ipswich have also got to visit St Mary's on 28 April. After making six changes to the side that beat Leicester in their last outing, Southampton looked off-colour from the start. Stamenic and Ji-Sung Eom both had half-efforts at goal blocked for the Swans and the Welsh side stayed on top through the first 45 minutes. They broke the deadlock when Zan Vipotnik's cross created a scramble in the box which Stamenic struck in from close range for his third goal of the campaign. Melker Widell then forced a save out of Saints keeper Daniel Peretz and fired another effort over the bar as the Swans continued to dominate. Saints had scored 10 goals in their previous three games but it took until the 40th minute for their first shot on target as Leo Scienza's effort from the edge of the area was saved by Lawrence Vigouroux, and James Bree then saw his own strike saved by the Swansea keeper. Saints continued on the front foot after the break but it was two substitutions from Eckert that turned the game on its head. Charles saw a shot blocked, along with Casper Jander and Finn Azaz, as Saints pushed for an equaliser. Momentum stayed with the visitors as Swansea's calls for a penalty were waved away when Nathan Wood brought down Eom and shortly after they were level at the other end. Scienza flicked the ball on from a corner and Charles headed into the bottom corner to make it 1-1. Azaz then came within inches of putting Southampton 2-1 up but he could not quite get on the end of Ryan Manning's ball across the face of the goal. Swansea had chances of their own to take all three points as Gustavo Nunes' certain goal was denied by a block from Wood and Goncalo Franco put another attempt wide. But Archer's arrival in the 88th minute led to late drama just as it looked like a draw was on the cards, as he struck Jander's cross into the net to snatch all three points. This video can not be played Tonda Eckert: 'There was only one deserved winner' Southampton manager Tonda Eckert told BBC Radio Solent: "In the first half we were clearly on top, we knew that they come out with a lot of energy - you see that in the first 10 minutes. We completely dominate the game, we don't manage to defend on one throw-in and it is what it is. "You go in 1-0 down at half-time even though you have more than enough chances and it just speaks for the character of the group that we keep pushing and pushing and pushing. "Over 90 minutes there was only one deserved winner today. "It's very calm at half-time, [one of] those games that you can't expect they just fall onto you but you know that if you keep pushing you're going to win them in the end. " This video can not be played Matos: 'We need to be more in control' Swansea head coach Vitor Matos told BBC Radio Wales: "We need to be much more in control in the opposition's half, not rush the attack, stay calm in that situation because the tempo in of the game was really hard, really intense. "When we play against this type of team you can always understand what is important - small things count and I think that is what we can get for the future if we want to keep pushing ourselves. "Today desire was there, anger and competitiveness was there as well, and that's quite nice to see. "Quality of game we need to keep improving, we need to keep pushing ourselves and that happened for moments then it's about closing the game and finding a way to win. " After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 18th April 2026 at 16: 57 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Vitor Matos Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Tonda Eckert Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Vitor Matos Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Tonda Eckert Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Swansea have won just two of their last 16 league games against Southampton (D5 L9), while they’ve failed to score in 10 of their last 14 against the Saints. Swansea are winless in their last two home league matches (D1 L1), conceding five goals across those two games; more than in their previous 10 league matches at the Swansea. com Stadium combined (4). Southampton have won five of their last six away league games against Swansea, with the exception being a 2-1 defeat in January 2017. Southampton are unbeaten in their last seven away league games, winning five of them (D2). In Tonda Eckert’s first seven away league matches in charge, the Saints won just twice and lost four of them (D1). Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik has scored in each of his last three Championship games (four goals), and could score in four in a row for the first time in the competition. Flynn Downes (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Kuryu Matsuki (Southampton). Handball by Caspar Jander (Southampton). Attempt missed. Melker Widell (Swansea City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Josh Tymon. Melker Widell (Swansea City) is shown the yellow card. Flynn Downes (Southampton) is shown the yellow card. Foul by Flynn Downes (Southampton). Liam Cullen (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Gonçalo Franco (Swansea City) is shown the yellow card. Léo Scienza (Southampton) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Marko Stamenic (Swansea City). Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Daniel Peretz. Attempt saved. Melker Widell (Swansea City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Daniel Peretz (Southampton). Assisted by Liam Cullen with a headed pass. Goal! Swansea City 1, Southampton 0. Marko Stamenic (Swansea City) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Zan Vipotnik with a headed pass. Finn Azaz (Southampton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Finn Azaz (Southampton). Gonçalo Franco (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Sam Parker. Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Cameron Burgess. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.


