Saints go marching on after Jakupovic howler for Hull

An early mistake from Hull’s third-choice goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic gifted high-flying Southampton a 1-0 win at the KC Stadium to extend their brilliant start to the season.

Despite impressing against Liverpool in the 0-0 draw at Anfield last week, Jakupovic looked nervous from the off in front of his own fans and it soon told. With just two minutes played, the one-time Swiss international cleared Robbie Brady’s ball straight to Victor Wanyama, allowing the Kenyan to calmly loft the ball into the empty net from 40 yards.

The match was a story of frustration for the Hull fans from thereon, as the home side hardly tested the robust Southampton defence.

Indeed, it was the visitors who had the vast majority of the chances, with Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle both guilty of terrible misses from close range on the break.

The win moves Southampton five points clear of Arsenal and Manchester City in second-place, while Hull sit just three points clear of the relegation zone.

2' - GOAL! Hull City 0-1 Southampton. It's a terrible mistake from third choice goalkeeper Jakupovic as well. A rushed kick is played along the ground to Wanyama, who calmly lofts the ball into the net from 40 yards out. Excellent finish, horrible mistake.

9' - CHANCE: First sign of life from Hull as Diame shows his power and ability, surging into the box, playing a one-two and then dragging a shot across the six yard area before it is hacked away to safety. Better.

22' - CHANCE: It's another nervous moment from Jakupovic. He decides to come out for a long ball, only to realise that Shane Long will get to it before him. The former Hull man tries to head the ball over the Swiss goalkeeper but he gets it wrong and it goes harmlessly wide.

48' - PENALTY SHOUT: Diame goes down in the area after pressure from Wanyama. Martin Atkinson correctly waves away the protest, after replays show the Kenyan touches the ball.

71' - SAINTS GO CLOSE: What a chance! Mane somehow flicking it over from three-yards out after Tadic's excellent low cross. That would have sealed it.

86' - HUGE CHANCE: It's another really bad miss for Southampton! Pelle's run is timed perfectly. Mane gets in behind on the right-hand side. He finds Pelle free in the area but the Italian can't bend it in.

Southampton have the best defensive record in the top four divisions in English football, conceding just five times in their first 10 Premier League games.

Southampton have won every game in which they have opened the scoring so far this season.

The Saints have won seven of their opening nine ten games for the first time in their history in a top-flight season.

Hull defender Paul McShane made his 200th start in the league.

Can Southampton maintain this assault on the top four for the whole season? It’s often said you can start to judge the table after 10 games, and with 10 played the Saints are second.

Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton): The Southampton right-back was the most impressive part of an outstanding Saints defence which not only kept a clean sheet but barely conceded a chance worthy of the name.

Hull City: Jakupovic 5, Chester 6, Davies 6, McShane 6, Huddlestone 6, Elmohamady 5, Diame 6, Brady 6, Livermore 5, Hernandez 5, Ben Arfa 5… Subs: Aluko 6, Robertson 6, Quinn 6.

Southampton: Forster 6, Clyne 8, Fonte 7, Alderweireld 8, Bertrand 7, Davis 7, Wanyama 7, Schneiderlin 7, Long 6, Pelle 7, Tadic 6 … Subs: Mane 7, Cork 6.