Southampton win speaks to ‘character’ of the team, says Eckert

Tonda Eckert, Southampton manager, says the win over Swansea speaks to the character of the team as promotion-chasing Saints score a late winner on Saturday.

“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,” Eckert said in his post-match analysis.

According to him, the Saints dominated the game without trying to defend on throw-in. “In the first half we were clearly on top, we knew that they came out with a lot of energy – you see that in the first 10 minutes.”

Cameron Archer came off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner and continue Southampton’s 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.

“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,” Eckert said.

However, 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.

However, Wrexham’s win against Stoke means Saints have not confirmed their top-six spot, but remain firmly on track for at least the play-offs while also hunting for second place and automatic promotion.