CHE Adams’ late goal saw Saints mark their Championship return with a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night.

Nathan Tella's shot took a slight touch off Adam Armstrong to give Saints the lead inside 10 minutes before the hosts hit back through Lee Gregory in the second half.

Southampton controlled possession in Russell Martin's first competitive game in charge but found it difficult to convert their dominance into goals until late on.

Here’s how we rated every Saints player’s performance in their opening-day win at Hillsborough...

Gavin Bazunu – 6.

Faced no shots on target in first half. Gathered well from a tricky Manning back-pass and distributed quickly and effectively to a breaking Edozie.

Kyle Walker-Peters – 7.

Much more involved than during pre-season. Clever on the ball in distribution and feints to draw fouls. Saved Saints from being undone by long-throw on restart. Gregory runs away from him for the equaliser. Involved in the winner.

Jan Bednarek – 6.

Not as involved as his teammates but made a vital slide tackle on 70 minutes as Wednesday broke into the Saints area.

Jack Stephens – 7.

Early pass astray led to a small period of Wednesday assault. Magnet to the ball in the area and sweeping up counter-attacks well. Really impressive driving forward on the ball and picking out teammates between the lines. Was tempted to name him my man of the match but think just edged out on overall performance. 

Ryan Manning – 7.

More touches of the ball than any other Saints player in the first half (97). Tidy in possession and ended with second most passes of any player. 

Will Smallbone – 8.

Constantly on the ball, giving and going with both back to his goal and back to the opposition goal. Really impressive player under Martin. 

James Ward-Prowse –7.

Looked to shoot on a few occasions including free-kicks, which were blocked by the wall and saved respectively. Assisted Adams’s winner late in the match.

Charly Alcaraz – 5.

Clumsy in the area and got away with a collision in the opening stages. Did not have the impact on the game he usually does in an attacking sense but was left knackered upon his removal at 73 minutes.

Nathan Tella – 7.

The left footed opener, should have been a brilliant goal but came off Armstrong. Was a threat throughout. Fluffed a volleyed chance on the edge of the area in the second half.

Sam Edozie – 6.

Quality feet and constantly breaking in the channel but lacking in end product again. Knows he needs to work on it and hopefully it comes.

Adam Armstrong – 6.

Credited with the opener after it brushed his head from Tella’s strike. Booked. Not found himself on the ball at all in vital areas.

Substitutes

Stuart Armstrong – 7.

Came on with 17 minutes of regulation time left. Let rip from range with first touches but sailed over. Was dangerous with the ball and a welcome addition from the bench.

Che Adams – 8.

Scored the winner from close range with his only real chance of the contest after coming on in the 77th minute. Did not have to do anything else. Re-staked his claim as the starting striker.