Pre-season analysis: Southampton 3-2 Celta Vigo

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: Mohamed Elyounoussi of Southampton scores his sides third goal during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Southampton and Celta Vigo at St Mary’s Stadium on August 1, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /

In their penultimate pre-season friendly this evening, Southampton produced a stunning comeback to beat Spanish side Celta Vigo 3-2.

Whilst you can’t get carried away with pre-season wins, Southampton supporters will have finished the night with an ear-wide smile after seeing their side show some serious grit to produce a superb second-half comeback.

The Saints were down early on when Pione Sisto – a once reported target of the club’s – scored a stunning strike off the left-wing from outside the box. The Dane could be set for a really important campaign with Celta this coming year as he continues to mature as a player.

Just before half-time the away side doubled their advantage in front of the St. Mary’s faithful, when Iago Aspas thundered the ball home from a tight angle. The Spaniard never quite made the cut at Liverpool but has scored a goal every other game since returning to his boyhood club in 2015.

However, a smart header from Charlie Austin and a clever poked finish from Stuart Armstrong quickly leveled the scores in the second half. After an array of changes the action appeared to have died down, until a James Ward-Prowse shot came bouncing off the post and into Mohamed Elyounoussi’s path with 90 minutes on the clock. The Norwegian tapped the ball home for 3-2.

The result means that the Saints have now won three of their five pre-season games, but what talking points can be drawn from the victory?