Southampton 3-0 Preston: Saints surging at the right time as they close gap to automatic promotion places in Championship and capitalise on front-runners' struggles

This is shaping up to be the best battle for automatic promotion in the history of the Championship.

The top four are separated by just five points after a Che Adams double inspired Saints to a bruising victory over Preston.

Russell Martin's side still have to travel to Leicester City and face a tantalising final day clash at Leeds with all of the top four on track to achieve 90 points or more.

But it is Martin's men who have the most momentum and, playing like this, they will be a match for anyone.

The evening did not start well for the home side, who lost goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu to injury during the warm-up.

Alex McCarthy, 34, was drafted in to start his first league game of the season.

Fortunately, he wasn't busy with Saints amassing more than 76 per cent possession for long spells.

It was no surprise when they took the lead on 19 minutes.

It came from a characteristically fluid passing move, with David Brooks and Adam Armstrong the architects and Adams on hand to coolly convert from six yards out.

The first half was Russell Martin football at its finest and ten minutes later, Adams scored his 17th goal of the season to cap another fine team move.

This time it came from the left side where Ryan Manning played in Adams who brilliantly dummied to Brooks before receiving it back and finishing low into the corner.

Saints were unstoppable and four minutes later were three up after a disastrous clearance from Duane Holmes dropped straight to Stuart Armstrong who curled his shot into the near corner.

In the next attack, the Scottish international struck a post from the edge of the area with Preston all at sea.

Ryan Lowe's frustration was threatening to get the better of him. He was booked by referee Samuel Barrott whilst also subbing the calamitous Holmes as early as the 39th minute.

The game resembled a training exercise more than a competitive fixture in the second half though Adams almost claimed his hat trick as he brought down Kyle Walker-Peters' pass before Freddie Woodman rushed from his line to save.

Woodman was on hand again to keep the score down after he clawed Brooks' effort clear of the top corner as Saints continued to push for more.