Martin gets off to a flyer as Adams silences the boos
Sub Che’s late strike seals it for Saints
MANAGERS are fond of saying the season is a marathon not a sprint but, whatever the length of the race, it helps to get off to a good start.
Russell Martin certainly did so at a raucous Hillsborough last night as Southampton substitute Che Adams struck a dramatic late winner to down newly-promoted Sheffield Wednesday.
The visitors dominated the match with their free-flowing, possession-based approach, a goal credited to Adam Armstrong putting them ahead as early as the eighth minute.
Wednesday, buoyed by their partisan crowd, showed commendable spirit to hit back through Lee Gregory’s clinically- executed equaliser in the 54th minute.
But with three minutes left, Saints’ superior class told as captain James Ward-Prowse, who continues to be linked with West Ham, cut the ball back to Adams and the former Sheffield United striker fired home.
Turbulent barely begins to describe life at Hillsborough in the past few months.
In May, the Owls came back from the dead to overturn Peterborough’s 4-0 League One play- off semi-final first leg advantage and win on penalties.
The ‘miracle of Hillsborough’ went down as one of the greatest games in play- off history before Wednesday beat Barnsley 1-0 at Wembley to earn promotion.
Less than a month later, however, boss Darren Moore left by mutual consent, controversial chairman Dejphon Chansiri claiming he asked for a new contract four times bigger than his existing one.
Moore’s departure led Chansiri to Xisco Munoz, who guided Watford to promotion from the Championship in 2021.
Yet last night represented one of the most difficult starts imaginable for the Spaniard as newlyrelegated Saints arrived with a point to prove.
New boss Martin was certainly keen to make his, marching towards the travelling contingent before kick-off to applaud them.
His team showed similar desire as a one-sided first half unfolded after an emotional minute’s applause to honour the memory of former Wednesday manager Trevor Francis and midfielder Chris BartWilliams following their deaths.
Southampton popped the ball around with a swagger, enjoying 77 per cent first half possession.
They went ahead when Nathan Tella collected the ball from Kyle Walker-Peters on the right-hand side of Wednesday’s box and showed outstanding precision and poise to curl a delightful left-footed shot past keeper Cameron Dawson and into the far corner.
The ball skimmed off Armstrong, who was credited with the goal while Tella, who scored 19 times as Burnley were promoted last season, ran to Martin to celebrate.
As Saints fans began singing about promotion, Ward-Prowse, typically, emerged as the driving force, putting in the kind of shift which underlines why he is so important to his team.
Carlos Alcaraz fired just wide with a low 20-yard strike and other chances came and went, Callum Paterson clearing Jack Stephens’ shot off the line as half-time neared.
Set-pieces always looked to be Wednesday’s best hope of getting back in it and so it proved
The Owls won a corner on the left and an inswinging delivery was greeted by Dominic Iorfa’s firm header at the far post. The ball fell invitingly into the path of Gregory, who rifled home a superb low, rightfooted volley.
Gregory’s strike poured confidence into the Owls, but Saints were not to be denied as Ward-Prowse’s cross and Adams’ right-footed shot settled it, sparking more wild celebrations among Martin and his players.
A touch of class and a natural finisher — so often the difference between success and failure.