Puel calls for Premier League focus

On a night when two long waits ended, Austin scored twice to secure Southampton’s first win under new boss Puel at the fifth attempt and get their Europa League group stage campaign off to a flier.

The victory was manager Claude Puel’s first in charge since succeeding Ronald Koeman in the summer.

It was in the 26th minute when, following positive build-up play from Shane Long and Cuco Martina on the right wing, the former sent a low cross to Austin.

Charlie Austin (Southampton): The striker showed his prowess in front of goal with a well taken penalty into the corner and a firm header. Subs: Lafata 6, Marecek 5, Pulkrab 5.

Southampton, because of knee injuries, remain without B£16million record signing Sofiane Boufal and Jeremy Pied, but Puel is already targeting Europa League football next season and is therefore determined to prioritise the competition.

Sparta’s Costa was penalised for a handball, but there was not much that the defender could do about it as the ball bounced off his leg and onto his arm during a tackle on Austin. Saints are well on top.

Greedy Austin, whose last goal for the club was the victor against Manchester United in January, quickly headed a second and Tadic couldn’t complain this time.

27′ – GOAL! Southampton 2-0 Sparta Prague: The same duo combine to double the Saints’ lead.

Martina’s cross from the right was met with a downward header from Austin, which slipped under Koubek’s hand and into the net.

After a lengthy lull, Ales Cermak tried to spark it into life with a solo run, and after his shot was blocked, David Lafata was there for the follow-up, but his half-volley strike was directed straight at Fraser Forster.

“It’s one game at a time”. “I’m not sure what the players must do but the most important is to put the ball in the goal and this was important for the team”.

Austin has now scored on his Premier League and European debuts for Saints and his performance, along with those of James Ward-Prowse and Maya Yoshida, will give supporters hope that their side has the strength in depth to make their eighth European campaign a successful one.