Wednesday evening saw Southampton take to the St Mary’s Stadium pitch once more as preparations continue for the coming Premier League campaign of 2018/19.
FULL TIME: #SaintsFC 3-2 @RCCelta
Mark Hughes' red and white army rings around St Mary's after a second-half turnaround! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Bumls1ZtdK
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 1, 2018
Hosting La Liga outfit Celta Vigo in our penultimate pre-season warm-up of the summer, fans in attendance were treated to a five-goal game and there were certainly a number of positives that could be taken from the 90 minute run out.
The headlines from the game would be that Fulham target Matt Targett helped himself to two assists in the match as he set up both Charlie Austin and Stuart Armstrong but summer signing Mohamed Elyounoussi announced himself in grand fashion as he bagged our late winner.
🎥#SaintsFC boss Mark Hughes was pleased with the response from his side after they overturned a two-goal deficit to beat @RCCelta at St Mary's: pic.twitter.com/6WHm97XxYP
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 1, 2018
Pione Sisto and Iago Aspas had given the visitors a 2-0 advantage going into the halftime break, however, but we dug in for the final 45 minutes to stage a deserved comeback.
It’s not onto Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday ahead of the top-flight opener against Burnley on August 12.
🎥#SaintsFC midfielder Stuart Armstrong reflects on the win over @RCCelta after netting his first goal for the club: pic.twitter.com/MvEvBuJl6l
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 2, 2018
Southampton:
McCarthy (Gunn 45), Vestergaard, Hoedt, Bednarek (Stephens 60), Bertrand (Reed 81), McQueen (Targett 45), Davis (Hojbjerg 45), Romeu (Ward-Prowse 77), Armstrong (Elyounoussi 60), Long (Austin 45), Gabbiadini (Gallagher 77).
Unused subs:
Lewis, Sims.
Goals – Austin (56), Armstrong (61), Elyounoussi (90).
Celta Vigo:
Conde, Mallo, Arujo, Aspas, Sisto, Beauvue, Lobitka, Junca, Jozabed, Cabral, Roncaglia.
Subs:
Garcia, Fernandez, Mazan, Hjulsager, Costas, Comesana, Mendez, Villar.
Goals – Sisto (11), Aspas (43).
11: Goal for Celta!
The visitors take the lead as Pione Sisto curls a superb effort beyond the reach of @Alex_Macca23. #saintsfc [0-1] pic.twitter.com/YagiguahKE
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 1, 2018
43: Goal for Celta…
Iago Aspas doubles the visitors' advantage inside the box. [0-2] pic.twitter.com/2BlJcTgU2y
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 1, 2018
GOAL: #SaintsFC 1-2 @RCCelta (@chazaustin10 56')
Austin heads home a superb @Mattytargett cross to halve the deficit. Get in! pic.twitter.com/i1e6iUgHA3
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 1, 2018
GOAL: #SaintsFC 2-2 @RCCelta (Armstrong 61')
It's a quickfire double as Armstrong's clever run is rewarded with a goal. pic.twitter.com/kEoRzeYx88
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 1, 2018
GOAL: #SaintsFC 3-2 @RCCelta (@Moielyo 90')
A night for the new boys as Elyounoussi reacts quickest to @Prowsey16's shot off the post! ???? pic.twitter.com/wKDlW01CxK
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 1, 2018