Superb Southampton fired a warning to the rest of the Championship by demolishing Leeds 3-1 at St Mary's on Saturday evening.
Dean Hammond,
Adam Lallana and David Connolly were on target as Nigel Adkins' newly-promoted side began the season in style.
Leeds pulled one back in stoppage time when Max Gradel scored from the penalty spot but game was well and truly up by then.
These teams met in the Premier League just seven years ago but both have since plumbed the depths of League One.
And on this early evidence, it is the south-coast side who look better equipped to challenge for promotion back to the top flight this term.
Leeds did squander a great chance to go ahead in the eighth minute when Jonathan Howsonshot straight at Saints goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, who was able to make a fine reaction save.
But less than two minutes later the hosts took the lead - and they never looked back.
Hammond collected the ball midway inside the Leeds half, strode forward unchallenged and fizzed a precise shot past the outstretched arm of Andy Lonergan and inside the post.
Slick Saints doubled their advantage in the 24th minute when Rickie Lambert played in England Under-21 international Lallana, who turned inside lone defender Andy O'Brien before tucking the ball past Lonergan.
No comments:
Post a Comment