Wrexham 1-5 Southampton: Saints climb into play-off places with crushing win

Southampton climbed above Wrexham into the Championship play-off places after crushing the Welsh side 5-1 at the Racecourse Ground.

Kuryu Matsuki and Flynn Downes struck early as the visitors took control, with Cyle Larin, Ross Stewart and Finn Azaz adding further goals to seal a fifth-straight league victory.

Despite making six changes following their FA Cup win over Arsenal, Southampton started brightly and twice hit the woodwork inside seconds, with Larin and Azaz both denied.

They broke through soon after as Azaz set up Matsuki, who drilled a low finish in at the near post.

Downes doubled the lead 10 minutes later, volleying home after a deflected free-kick fell kindly to him inside the box.

Wrexham struggled early but grew into the game and hit back when Josh Windass calmly finished after a flick-on from Kieffer Moore.

The second half was more even, with both sides creating chances as momentum briefly swung.

However, Southampton regained control just after the hour when Larin intercepted a loose pass and fired home to restore their two-goal cushion.

Wrexham continued to push and struck the post again through Moore, but could not close the gap.

Late goals from Stewart and Azaz capped an emphatic win, lifting Southampton above their hosts into sixth place and extending their unbeaten league run to 13 matches.