Lunchtime Domination Sees Eckert Go Three in Three

Five Against Charlton: The Saints are Flying

Following Tonda Eckert's arrival as interim manager for the away trip to Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday, 5 November after Will Still exit following the previous weekend's drubbing by Preston North End.

In what was his second game in charge a fortnight ago, the win over Sheffield Wednesday marked back-to-back league victories for the Saints since the play-offs in the 2023/24 season.

Eckert's excellent start in the dugout has the Saints seriously considering the 32-year-old to lead the side forward on a permanent basis after his flawless start.

A thumping Saturday lunchtime thriller at The Valley saw Southampton earn a stunning 5-1 victory - with all goals coming in the first half - saw them earn their third win on the bounce, leaping to 14th temporarily.

Southampton score a FIFTH before half-time against Charlton before Nathan Jones' side pull one back in a crazy first half! 😮 pic.twitter.com/GjBRuXvDtJ

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 22, 2025

Is Tonda Eckert the Answer?

There was some issues regarding Eckert's visa over the recent international break, however, things have seemed to be sorted and the German may very well be named permanent manager in the coming days.

Eckert arrived at St Mary's in the summer to take charge of the u21 side before making the jump up to the senior team in early November. Since, he has seemed to find the answer many Saints fans were asking - how to score goals.

Tonda Eckert: "The fans are everything. You could see the support today, the away section was completely sold out. That's what we play football for. I hope that they get to enjoy the day and a nice evening." #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/1ghrVMwzqm

— SaintsExtra (@SaintsExtra) November 22, 2025

Before he took charge, Southampton had scored 13 goals in as many games, despite having one of the highest xG totals in the division - underperforming their xG in ten of their 13 games.

This included scoring late twice agianst Wrexham on the opening day despite creating a 4.14 xG and they also created a 3.1 xG in their nil-nil draw with Swansea.

This has all changed in their last three games, however, as the Saints have netted ten goals in the last 270 minutes - a goal within every half hour.

Their amazing run of form has also seen them leaves rivals Portsmouth in the dust, going from one point behind them to four points ahead over the last month.

Eckert's influence on the south coast outfit so far has been nothing short of spectacular after beggining his tenure at St Mary's very strongly with the young Saints which even included a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid.

Now turning that form into the EFL Championship, Southampton are starting to look like a proper competitive team and by defeating Charlton Athletic 5-1 away from home, they have certainly made a statement - especially against a club who had lost just one of their last six coming into the fixture.

With the German coach seemingly very likely to continue his reign at St Mary's, Saints fans may well be starting to finally see the light at the end of what has been a very, very long tunnel.