Cyle Larin proved why Southampton boss Tonda Eckert rates him as the best striker in the Championship as his double in a 5-1 victory shattered Millwall's perfect start to the season.

Mark Sykes had given the Lions an early lead, but Larin's brace along with Finn Azaz's tap-in, Leo Scienza's penalty and Tom Fellows' first Saints goal blew the visitors away.

The Canadian has scored four goals in the first three league matches of the season to take his Saints tally to 12 goals in 19 Championship appearances.

Southampton have now wiped out their four-point deduction for 'Spygate', while Millwall were beaten for the first time this season.

Alex Neil's side came into the match top of the Championship, and for the opening 15 minutes showed just why they had back-to-back wins to start the campaign.

Tairyk Arconte forced a save out of Daniel Peretz, before Josh Coburn headed wide.

The one-way traffic was rewarded when Sykes picked up on a half-clearance on the edge of the box before driving home, via a deflection. It was the Irishman's first goal for the club since arriving on a free transfer from Bristol City this summer.

But from there, the hosts dominated in every facet of the pitch - starting with Ryan Manning crashing a short corner against a post.

The leveller came in the 25th minute from Larin. Manning's deep free-kick was powerfully met by the Canadian, with the frontman continuing his 100 per cent scoring record in the league this season.

The hosts completed the turnaround 13 minutes later when Scienza skipped past Jake Cooper, darted towards the byline, clipped the ball over goalkeeper Max Crocombe and gave Azaz an unmissable tap-in.

Despite the pulsating resurgence from Saints, Millwall should have been level at the break, as Kyrell Lisbie fired against a post when offered up an open goal by Arconte on the counter.

Returning hero James Ward-Prowse's introduction for the start of the second half further buoyed the home fans, and they were sent into raptures when Azaz was tripped in the box by Cooper, with Scienza dispatching the penalty with aplomb.

The icing was put on the cake with the best goal of the lot in the 62nd minute. Larin lifted the ball over Cooper's head before volleying into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

He should have sealed a hat-trick but Crocombe - playing in goal instead of the injured Lukas Jensen - stayed big one-on-one.

Southampton did get their fifth when Fellows celebrated a year since arriving at St Mary's by firing past Crocombe, as the home side eased to a 12th home match unbeaten in the league.

The managers

Southampton's Tonda Eckert:

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Millwall's Alex Neil:

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What the result means and next fixtures...