Saints stroll to first leg romp
SOUTHAMPTON moved to within touching distance of the Europa League play-offs after dispatching Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem 3-0 in their third qualifying round first leg tie at St Mary’s Stadium last night.
An opening goal from striker Graziano Pelle and a successfully converted Dusan Tadic penalty fired the Saints into a two-goal half-time lead, before substitute Shane Long completed the scoring late on.
“There is a big difference between 2-0 up and 3-0 and tonight is a great result in European football,” said Southampton boss Ronald Koeman. “We did a good job and that makes things easier in the next game.”