Southampton win at Rotherham to go back second

Southampton have not lost in the league since September

Southampton moved back into the Championship's automatic promotion places after a comfortable win at bottom club Rotherham.

The Saints eased off in the second half, and handed a debut to on-loan Bournemouth man David Brooks, but the win was accentuated by promotion rivals Ipswich's defeat at Preston.

Their 16th loss of the season means Rotherham, facing Southampton in the league for the first time since the 1965-66 campaign, have now won just once in their last 18 games and are 12 points adrift of 21st-placed Huddersfield.

Saints' victory at Swansea a fortnight ago had set the new unbeaten record but they were in no mood to let up, especially with Ipswich now showing vulnerability having held a top-two place since September.

Southampton had lost four in a row at that point, but have now not tasted defeat since 23 September, and they were never in danger at the New York Stadium.

They were ahead after just four minutes as defender Bednarek, playing his 200th game for the club, cleverly looped a header over a packed penalty area after a Stuart Armstrong corner had been flicked on at the near post and ricocheted off a defender into his path.

Rotherham may have taken some comfort from the history books, as they had won their last four at home against the Saints, but they were lucky to survive to the break with just one more goal being put past busy keeper Viktor Johansson.

The big Sweden international has, at times, been fighting a one-man rearguard action for the Millers in the last two seasons, although he was grateful when Ryan Fraser's 25-yard drive twanged off a post after flying past him.

Johansson was soon back to keeping his side in the running, racing off his line to deny Stuart Armstrong after Che Adams' through ball had put the midfielder in the clear.

It could not last, and Southampton doubled their lead with a classic second goal as Taylor Harwood-Bellis' excellent pass found the run of Fraser. He drew the defence and then backheeled for Adam Armstrong to slide his 15th goal of the season under the keeper.

Johansson produced one of the saves of the season to turn away Will Smallbone's close-range shot, while at the other end Saints' keeper Gavin Bazunu dealt with Seb Revan's shot as Rotherham managed a rare threat on goal.

With the game effectively won, Southampton took their foot off the accelerator but still coasted to their seventh win in the last eight league games.