The Saints had more possession from the start and needed just ten minutes to take the lead. Tyler Dibling made a determined run and found Fernandes, who fired the ball past Jak Alnwick from the edge of the 16-yard box.

Amo-Ameyaw then went around the Alnwick goalkeeper, but was unable to shoot after heavy contact from a tight angle.

And Cardiff equalised in spectacular fashion in the 21st minute, against the run of play, when Colwill – who had already scored in the Bluebirds’ opening win against Bristol Rovers – fired under the underside of Joe Lumley’s crossbar from 27 metres.

Nine minutes after the equaliser, the Bluebirds fell behind when Charlie Taylor, after a clever passing move, found Amo-Ameyaw, who fired the ball past Alnwick from the edge of the Cardiff penalty area.

A frenetic encounter continued to provide genuine entertainment and Cardiff fought back four minutes into the second half when goalkeeper Lumley diverted Raheem Conte’s cross into the legs of Edwards, who was powerless to watch as the ball rolled into his own net.

Southampton remained patient and increased their lead to 3-2 in the 55th minute when Archer turned past Dimitrios Goutas and fired the ball home. Two minutes later, however, former Man City midfielder Robertson volleyed home and Cardiff equalised for the third time.

The game looked set to go to a penalty shootout until James Brees’ spectacular shot flew over Alnwick in the first minute of stoppage time and Archer coolly scored his second three minutes later to give Southampton their first win of the season.