Southampton extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to 12 matches as they remained in charge of the play-off race with a 2-0 win over Oxford United. 

Cyle Larin's sixth-minute opener was followed by a stunning goal from Shea Charles in the first half, with the result keeping the Saints in sixth. 

St. Mary's Stadium was on its feet early on when Tom Fellows was picked out inside the area before sending a cross to the near post for Larin to brilliantly steer home. 

But the best was yet to come, with a short corner eventually finding its way to Charles, who bent a sensational curling effort beyond Jamie Cumming and into the top-right corner. 

James Bree and Nicholas Oyekunle came close to adding to Southampton's total, but the margin of victory remained two, as Oxford saw their four-game unbeaten streak ended. 

THREE POINTS: SECURED pic.twitter.com/weJ8SBzIic

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) March 21, 2026

But hot on their heels are Phil Parkinson's Wrexham, who came from behind to beat Sheffield United 2-1 at Bramall Lane to stay level on points with Southampton. 

Wrexham are only outside the play-off places on goal difference, but they found themselves on the back foot when Andre Brooks finished past Arthur Okonkwo in the 49th minute. 

However, Josh Windass provided an instant response five minutes later, slotting the ball beyond Adam Davies after being found by Sam Smith's inviting cutback inside the box. 

And Smith was involved again for the winning goal 12 minutes from time, with the Wrexham striker diving in to head Issa Kabore's teasing delivery into the back of the net. 

Hull City also continued their quest for a top-six finish with a comeback win of their own, with Kyle Joseph starring in their 3-1 victory over already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday. 

Jamal Lowe's poked finish had given the second tier's bottom club a 23rd-minute lead, only for Matt Crooks to restore parity 92 seconds later with a tap-in from Joseph's cross.

Hull entered the break in front when Dominic Iorfa headed Paddy McNair's free-kick into his own net before Joseph concluded the scoring in the 58th minute at MKM Stadium. 

Taking three points into the international break!#hcafc pic.twitter.com/5jvLiNfGkt

— Hull City (@HullCity) March 21, 2026

At the opposite end of the table, Portsmouth remain just a point above the relegation zone after they were thumped 6-1 at Loftus Road by a rampant QPR. 

Paul Smyth, Rayan Kolli and Richard Kone all scored braces for Julien Stephan's side, with John Swift's 38th-minute strike proving ineffective for relegation-threatened Pompey. 

Data Debrief: Free-scoring Saints march on

Southampton are beginning to hit form at the right time in their quest for an immediate return to the Premier League, and their recent success has been down to the front line. 

Since Tonda Eckert was appointed back in November, the Saints have scored more goals (50) than any other team in the Championship. In addition, only fellow play-off chasers Derby County (35) have scored goals in more matches than Southampton's 34 in 2025-26. 

And they were more than worthy of their win, given they registered an expected goals (xG) total of 2.15 from their 20 shots compared to Oxford's 1.07 from their nine attempts.