Easter weekend usually makes us nostalgic... do you recall how many of these holiday classics?
5. On April 19, 2003, Strachan's Saints beat Leeds.
The team built by Gordon Strachan in the early 2000s was one of Saints' most successful teams of recent times. The Scot's lone full season in charge resulted in an eighth-place finish and an FA Cup final, and his club had only recently secured a spot at the Millennium Stadium when they visited struggling Leeds on Easter Saturday. At St Mary's, Saints jumped out to a three-goal lead as Brett Ormerod tucked away the rebound after Anders Svensson's effort was parried by Paul Robinson, then Ormerod turned provider for James Beattie to increase his season total to 22 goals. Leeds appeared to be defeated when Beattie's strong move down the right set up Svensson for Saints' third, but two late goals for the visitors guaranteed a tense end for Strachan and co.
4. On March 30, 1991, McLoughlin saves a point on Maine Road.
Given that there were no goals in the first half, this topsy-turvy encounter at Man City's former home was unexpectedly exciting. Instead, all six goals came in the second stanza, beginning with Saints' Matt Le Tissier's left-footed goal to break the tie. Clive Allen took advantage of the hosts' route-one approach to bring them level before Mark Brennan's low free-kick put them ahead. Still behind within the last 10 minutes, Russell Osman's magnificent volley appeared to have recovered a point, only for David White's close-range effort to give City the lead. Saints, who appeared to be on their way out, were spared right at the finish when Alan McLoughlin found himself in the right position at the right time.
3. Lambert on his way to promotion 9th April 2012
As they made their way to London as Championship leaders with Premier League football in their sights, Saints were cheered on by roughly 6,000 travelling fans. Rickie Lambert, as was so frequently the case, was the man who rose to the occasion as Nigel Adkins' side claimed yet another crucial victory on Easter Monday. Late in the first half, the striker headed home Danny Butterfield's perfect cross, then a deft drop of the shoulder created space for him to smash a low effort over goalkeeper Julian Speroni with his left foot. His second goal gave him 30 for the season, and the squad was promoted three weeks later.
2. Lambert's free-kick propels Chelsea to victory on March 30, 2013
A year later, Mauricio Pochettino was only just getting started with the team he took over from Adkins in January. Despite a shaky start on the road, things were looking good at St Mary's after impressive wins against Manchester City and Liverpool. The next opponent was Chelsea, which was then led by Rafa Bentez, but Saints were not intimidated in their first season back in the Premier League. Jay Rodriguez scored the game's first goal after a lovely one-two with Steven Davis, but John Terry equalized. However, the tie lasted barely two minutes as Lambert chose his spot from a 30-yard free-kick that left Petr ech groping at thin air and added another spectacular scalp to Lambert's tally.
1. On the 23rd of April 2011, the Saints leave it late in Brighton.
That Championship and Premier League victories might not have been feasible without this tremendous result. By the time Saints arrived at the Withdean Stadium on Easter Saturday, Brighton had already been declared League One champions, with Adkins' side pursuing the second automatic promotion slot behind them. Ashley Barnes took advantage of a Radhi Jadi under-hit back-pass to give the Seagulls a half-time lead that they kept until the 84th minute. That's when Lambert's knockdown found replacement David Connolly, who brought Saints level with a crisp finish on the turn. When Kelvin Davis' long free-kick was met by a looping header from José Fonte that hit the net with only a minute of regular time remaining, the visitors grabbed victory, sparking wild scenes of celebration among the enormous lines of travelling Saints fans.