Southampton make winning return to Europe over Vitesse

Southampton made a winning return to European action as they recorded a one-sided 3-0 victory over Dutch side Vitesse at St Mary’s in the Europa League third round qualifying match.

Playing their first match in Europe since 2003, it took just 36 minutes for Southampton’s top goalscorer last season Graziano Pelle to get on the score-sheet as he latched onto a fantastic pass from Sadio Mane to finish into the top corner.

Dusan Tadic doubled the home side’s advantage from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time after Sadio Mane was caught just inside the box.

A mistake from Lewis Baker, on loan from Chelsea, gifted Southampton possession in a dangerous position and substitute Shane Long added a third six minutes before the end after latching onto a cross from debutant Juanmi.

The Saints were expecting a tough match against boss Ronald Koeman’s former club but it couldn’t have been much easier for the Premier League outfit who controlled the match from almost start to finish.

Koeman will be particularly pleased with the contribution of new boy Cedric who constantly threatened from full-back as well as the attacking performance of Sadio Mane.

Southampton travel to Holland for the away fixture next Thursday before taking on Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday on the opening day of the Premier League.

3’ - WIDE! Vitesse are inches from taking the lead through Valeri Kazaishvili who sees his shot go agonisingly wide of the left hand post

22’ - CHANCE! Vitesse fail to deal with the corner, the ball falls kindly to Wanyama from 12 yards but Room makes a brilliant stop and no one in a Southampton shirt can prod home the rebound. Somehow the score remains 0-0.

33’ - SAVE! This time it is Davis who brings out a save from Room as the Northern Ireland star cuts onto his right foot and tries to find the corner but it's comfortable for the goalkeeper in the end.

36’ – GOAL: Southampton 1-0 Vitesse! There we go, the Saints finally have the lead courtesy of a well taken goal from last season's top goalscorer Pelle who latched onto a fantastic pass from Mane.

44’ - PENALTY! Davis plays a short corner to Mane who is caught in the penalty area as he turns his marker.

45’ +1 – GOAL: Southampton 2-0 Vitesse! Tatic sends the goalkeeper the wrong way to coolly make it 2-0 to the hosts. Easy.

55’ - OVER! Oh dear, Pelle. The striker, who should be full of confidence after his earlier goal, has a chance to make it 3-0 after latching onto a poor clearance but he somehow smashes it well over the bar from 15 yards.

71’ - SAVE! Southampton's new goalkeeper Stekelenburg has had little to do on his competitive debut but he has to be alert to make an astounding stop when Pantic was played through on goal to maintain the scores at 2-0.

79’ - OVER! Vitesse blow their best chance of the match as Southampton fail to deal with Baker's cross, the ball falls to Rashica who gets underneath the shot and powers it well over the bar from inside the penalty area.

84’ - GOAL - Southampton 3-0 Vitesse! Long extends the Saints' lead with a simple tap in from a Juanmi cross after Vitesse's Baker concedes possession in a dangerous position.

Southampton's XI have played more Eredivisie games (675) than Vitesse's (613).

Vitesse had more English players - Chelsea loanees Lewis Baker and Isaiah Brown - in their starting line-up than Southampton.

What a few years for Southampton – Four years ago they were playing in the third tier so what a remarkable turnaround to be playing – and winning – in Europe at a packed St Mary’s stadium. The Saints were impressive on this occasion, particularly in the first-half, and boss Ronald Koeman will be pleased with his side. They have lost players in Nathaniel Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin but Cedric Soares and Jordy Clasie have the potential to excel as their replacements.

Cedric Soares (Southampton) – Offered plenty going forward from full-back and was a constant threat from the flank. A solid competitive debut.

SOUTHAMPTON: Stekelenburg 7, Cédric 9, Fonte 7, Yoshida 7, Targett 7, Wanyama 7, Clasie 7, S. Davis 8, Tadić 7, Mané 8, Pellè 7. Subs:, Long 7, Reed N/A, Juanmi 7.

VITESSE: Room 7, Diks 6, Kashia 6, Leerdam 5, Achenteh 5, Baker 4, Nakamba 5, Kazaishvili 6, Brown 5, Djurdjevic 5, Oliinyk 5. Substitutes: Lelieveld N/A, Pantic 6, Rashica 5.