Analysing Rickie Lambert's Performance vs. Hull City

Rickie Lambert has had a quiet 2013-14 campaign thus far, but his match against Hull City should offer Southampton hope that he's in for big things the rest of the way. 

The 31-year-old striker had a hand in each of Southampton's three goals as the Saints got off to a 3-0 lead against the Tigers. A victory could place Southampton as high as third place on the EPL table and move their goal differential to plus-eight on the campaign.

Lambert has tallied two assists and one goal in all. The goal, which came at the 30-minute mark, came via a beautiful penalty kick that makes it a near certainty Southampton will pick up its sixth win of the season. 

The successful penalty kick extended an impressive streak for Lambert:

For Lambert, this match is a reminder of just how good he can be when he's in top form. His two assists to Morgan Schneiderlin and Adam Lallana exemplify his ability to open up an offense that has struggled to find goals this season with just 11 in 10 matches. 

Lambert was the driving force behind the Saints attack last season, with 15 goals in 38 appearances but has come up short this year in the goal-scoring department. He had just four with one assist heading into today's fixture.

After putting on this performance against a club in Hull City that has only given up 10 goals in 10 matches, Saints fans should expect to see Lambert return to his old form as the leader of the club. 

Lambert's resurgent performance couldn't come at a better time either. The Saints, as a club, have been one of the more surprising stories this season. After finishing 14th in the league last season, Southampton is one point ahead of Chelsea for third place heading into Sunday's EPL action. 

Thanks to a defense that has surrendered just six goals all season, the Saints look like a legitimate contender in the EPL. With Lambert playing like fans of the club know he can, the league's scrappiest club just became even more potent.