Southampton's good run of form continued as they beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 at Hillsborough.

The League One-bound hosts showed spirit to keep themselves in the game but ultimately, the Saints' quality proved too much to handle.

This was Wednesday's first match at home since relegation was confirmed at Bramall Lane after defeat in the Steel City derby.

Southampton were undefeated in eight in all competitions before coming into this one and knew three points were a must to keep the pressure on sixth-placed Wrexham.

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The first chance of the game came following a neat move from the visitors. Cyle Larin looked to finish it off but emergency loan goalkeeper Seny Dieng got down well to keep him out.

The clean sheet was not preserved for long though, as the Saints went ahead in the 17th minute. Leo Scienza's cross fell to James Bree in the box and he poked home to get his third goal in four games.

Southampton were on the hunt for more for the remainder of the half. Scienza whipped in a dangerous corner and Dieng was at full stretch to push the ball off the line. Moments later, Larin dragged his shot wide of the mark when played through on goal.

The visitors got the second goal their dominance deserved in the first minute of added time before the interval. Ryan Manning curled home a brilliant free-kick from the right-hand side of the box and the Saints went in at the break good value for their lead.

In the 57th minute, the Owls gave themselves a glimmer of hope. Captain Liam Palmer kept the ball alive from a corner, Jamal Lowe flicked it on and Jerry Yates was there with a diving header to claim his first goal for the club.

Following that goal, the hosts started to show real belief and nearly found an equaliser. The roles were reversed this time, with Yates teeing up Lowe but Daniel Peretz got down well to deny him.

The Owls' hopes of a comeback were dashed in the 71st minute as they conceded from another set-piece. Another Scienza corner caused chaos in the Wednesday box and Taylor-Harwood Bellis hammered the ball home to restore Southampton's two-goal advantage.

Wednesday pushed right to the very end to get back into the game, Yates fluffing his lines in injury time in front of an open goal. However, the Saints held on to their 3-1 lead and take maximum points with them back down to the south coast.

The managers

Sheffield Wednesday's Henrik Pedersen:

"I think the boys played a strong game today against the strongest squad in the league. They have so much individual quality but I think we started the game well.

"This was our third game in six days and the boys were tired after getting back late from Norwich in midweek but we still wanted to press high. I feel Southampton didn't create much in the first half so it's sad we conceded from the set-pieces.

"In the second half, we changed some things. Our press was even higher up and more aggressive. We really gave it a go and we showed big heart and big intensity and we scored a good goal.

"Our reaction after the third goal shows the mentality in the boys. They kept on going and we created chances, we showed a lot of positive things.

"Of course it's disappointing to concede three set-pieces because I feel we competed so well in open play. Against a team like Southampton, everything has to be perfect.

"The atmosphere in the stadium today was absolutely amazing. The fans did not stop supporting the players and we could feel the positivity on the pitch. It gave them all such a big lift.

"We know we are relegated but we are still here to win games and we are here to give our fans good performances. We want to get back on to positive points.

"I said to the players, 'I hate losing these football games but I'm so proud of you'. They gave everything they have which I have said a lot this season."

Southampton's Tonda Eckert:

"Overall I'm happy with the performance and the result. It's not easy to come here but it was important we got the win today.

"We spend a lot of time in training on dead-ball situations; we know how important they are going in both directions.

"They defended in a deep block so we hoped to get some set-pieces off the back of that. Our defenders being aggressive at set-pieces came in handy today.

"We have good quality on the pitch but we can still improve in some moments of the game today. We scored from three set-pieces so it's good to know we have a variation of ways to score goals.

"In every game, every week and every month there are small margins in the Championship and we know there is still a long way to go.

"It's been a good few weeks for the football club in general but it's crunch time now. We have to keep going game after game, keep our heads down, keep working and be humble.

"It is not easy for Sheffield Wednesday. We saw the support they have today and it speaks for the gravity of the club. I'm sure they will come back up."

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