Southampton 2-0 Tranmere: Sunday Mirror match report

The clash of the former physios fell firmly in favour of Nigel Adkins at St Mary’s.

Adkins, physio at Scunthorpe before becoming their manager and then moving south, watched his Southampton side totally outplay Tranmere, bossed by their ex-physio Les Parry, who was appointed to take charge at Prenton park a year ago.

Rickie Lambert and the ever-impressive Adam Lallana scored the goals that enabled Saints to continue their climb up the League One table, while Rovers look destined for a relegation scrap.

Parry said: “We have played nearly all the top sides this season and Southampton are the best by far. They should not be in this division.

“We conceded at a bad time and then gave away a second, but in fairness they could have scored more.”

A delighted Adkins said: “We played very well. Perhaps we were not ruthless enough with all the possession we had, but a win was the priority and we can move forward in confidence and belief.’

Striker Lee Barnard, who was arrested and bailed after being quizzed by police over an alleged assault in a Southampton night club last weekend, was left on the bench before coming on in the second half.

Barnard’s right hand was bandaged, having reportedly undergone emergency surgery after the alleged incident.

The absence of Liam Darville through injury and the suspended Ian Goodison left Rovers vulnerable at the back, and Saints soon looked to expose the weaknesses.

Keeper Peter Gulasci had to be alert when Lambert charged in on goal, then he dealt just as competently with a smart run and shot by Richard Chaplow, on loan from Preston, and in his second spell at St Mary’s.

But Saints early enthusiasm failed to produce a goal, even though Lambert was unlucky when he rose to meet Guilherme Do Prado’s cross, only to head against the top of the bar.

Having somehow managed to contain Saints in their lively opening 20-minute spell, Rovers gradually began to show slightly more attacking enterprise, even though Kelvin Davis had little trouble in dealing with a snap shot from Lucas Akins, the visitors’ only real effort all game.

Then as it seemed the game was destined to nosedive from acceptable to abysmal, Lambert provided the much-needed spark three minutes before the interval.

Brazilian Do Prado had to check his run down the right, but the ball found its way to full-back Danny Butterfield, up in support and whose pinpoint cross allowed Lambert to power a header out of Gulasci’s reach for his fifth goal of the campaign.

That provided the platform for Saints to dominate. Chaplow began to assert his authority in midfield with some neat touches, and Lallana was his usual busy self, working to create openings down the left.

And the latter put the game out of Rovers’ reach in the 56th minute, with Butterfield and Do Prado again the providers.

Butterfield chipped a clever ball over the defence for Do Prado’ to chase and when the Brazilian clipped the ball in from the right, Lallana was on hand to sweep it beyond the exposed Gulasci.

The biggest cheer was reserved for the introduction of Barnard in place of Do Prado, and within minutes the striker had the ball in the net, only to be ruled offside.

Parry made three changes to try to bring Rovers to life, but without success, while Jason Puncheon, Chaplow and Barnard all squandered chances to make Saints’ win more comprehensive.