Southampton vs Sparta Prague. UEFA Europa League Group K.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance25,125.
Friday 16 September 2016 00:15, UK
Charlie Austin netted twice as Southampton earned a 3-0 victory over Sparta Prague on their Europa League debut.
Austin opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the fifth minute, after he wrestled the ball off of regular taker Dusan Tadic, angering the Serbia international, before sweeping the ball home.
Austin looked like a man rejuvenated, and nodded home a second on 27 minutes to make sure of three points for Saints, before Jay Rodriguez added a late third.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva's shock 2-0 win at the San Siro against Inter Milan means Saints top Group K after the first round of games, and such an evening could really kick-start Saints' season.
There was incredible drama in the early stages as German referee Manuel Grafe pointed to the spot after consulting his linesman. Costa Nhamoinesu was the man penalised for handball, although it seemed harsh on the defender as neither Saints players nor fans appealed for a decision.
Tadic took the ball and started to walk towards the spot as normal, but Austin had other ideas, and demanded the ball. Captain Virgil van Dijk had to restrain the clearly animated Tadic, allowing Austin to step up, and he made no mistake.
All was forgiven in celebrations, and the good feeling continued in the 25th minute as Austin had the ball in the net again, but it was ruled out for offside.
Austin was not to be outdone two minutes later, though, as the same combination that had just been denied teamed up to double Saints' advantage. Cuco Martina managed to get the cross into the box at the second attempt, right onto the head of Austin, who steered the ball expertly into the bottom corner.
Lukas Julis had a great opportunity four minutes later to get Sparta back in it, but he lashed the ball over the top from a good position.
David Lafata forced a fine save from a previously dormant Fraser Forster mid-way through the second half as Sparta pressed, but they offered very little as an attacking force. In fact, for the first time since December 2014, Sparta have failed to score in the Europa League - a run of 12 games.
Maya Yoshida was denied a penalty when he appeared to be pushed, before Rodriguez coolly slotted home in stoppage time after Shane Long had laid the ball perfectly into his path.
The night belongs to Austin, though. The 27-year-old has scored on both his Premier League and Europa League debuts, and looks back to his predatory best.
