Saints edged a sluggish first half but failed to find the quality required to score, before substitute Larin evaded his marker to head in from a corner.

Head coach Tonda Eckert paced nervously as Saints survived the remaining 20 minutes to secure a third win and third clean sheet in four matches.

Saints, who also drew 1-1 at rivals Portsmouth during that run, have lost just one of their nine home matches under the German since his appointment.

Not bad for your debut! 😅🤯 #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/dqBFQaAsrA

— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) February 7, 2026

Watford were in action away at Hull City on Tuesday due to a rearrangement, where interim boss Charlie Daniels’ Hornets battled for a 0-0 draw.

Both teams named an unchanged side from their last outing, with Saints head coach Tonda Eckert impressed by the 2-0 win at Stoke last weekend.

Sam Edozie featured on the Saints bench for the first time this season, while Larin was also among the substitutes after his deadline day signing.

Football hard-man turned actor Vinnie Jones was in attendance to watch boyhood Watford, although he was not treated to an instant St Mary’s classic.

The visitors looked to threaten early on, but Edo Kaymebe scuffed a tame effort wide after goalkeeper Daniel Peretz was pressed in possession.

Mamadou Doumbia hit the side netting from a corner, while Leo Scienza and Tom Fellows threatened in the channels but could not quite get there.

Ross Stewart should have opened the scoring from close range, but tried to place his shot and Egil Selvik saved, before Finn Azaz spurned a big chance.

Flynn Downes hobbled off before half-time after he appeared to injure himself in a big sliding tackle on the halfway line, having tried to play on.

And a long ball forward from Peretz gave Stewart a chance late in the half, but the Scot could not get it under control, with the teams level at the break.

On the hour mark, Selvik denied another Saints player the opening goal when Scienza, who was not at his best, latched onto a loose backpass.

It was one of the Brazilian’s final interactions, as Eckert called for the return of Edozie and the Saints debut for new number nine Larin after 67 minutes.

Cyle Larin named man of the match! 👏#SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/0FrPy7nosd

— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) February 7, 2026

It proved an astute change, with Larin shaking off his marker to head home a James Bree corner three minutes and 48 seconds after coming on.

Saints held on to leave Watford winless in six, and to move temporarily up to 12th in the Championship table on 43 points from 31 games.

Saints: Peretz; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Welington; Downes (Charles, 38), Jander, Fellows (Wood, 89), Azaz, Scienza (Edozie, 67); Stewart (Larin, 67).

Unused subs: McCarthy, Manning, Archer, Matsuki, Jelert.

Booked: Harwood-Bellis, Charles.

Watford: Selvik; Ngakia (Petris, 85), Mfuni (Goglichidze, 69), Abankwah, Bola, Louza, N Mendy, Kayembe, Chakvetadze, Doumbia (Kjerrumgaard, 62), Maamma (Baah, 85).

Unused subs: Baxter, F Mendy, Grieves, Ince, Semedo.

Booked: Chakvetadze.

Referee: Elliott Bell.