Ryan Manning stood true to his improving claim during preseason but Will Still managed to drop a cheeky joke involving the 29-year-old wingback.
In July, Ryan Manning spoke glowingly of Will Still and seemed to announce that his prime Southampton form was on the horizon. Guess, who came in to spare the Saints blushes when the biggest news across English football could have been an upset.
And then, Saints will be catching taunts left, right and centre as to how they are the worst playing unit in the country. None of those criticism-fests materialized because Manning channelled his inner Messi, not saying Ward-Prowse, after all, that was a curve-ball instead of a bend-it-like JWP.
Whether the Argentine legend appreciates Manning remains to be seen but the Championship did their part following the match. The 29-year-old became Southampton's first best player of the match this season but Will Still didn't stop himself from jokingly disagreeing with it.
Ryan Manning's quick feat may remain intact throughout the campaign
As quoted by the Daily Echo, Still said: "For Ryan to win the man of the match after playing 20 minutes is questionable, but no, fair play to him, it's a really good strike."
There isn't any rule regarding minimum minutes a player should play to be crowned the most impactful player, but even if it was, yesterday was the day of exceptions. We got a top-3 Championship best games of the season nominee on day one, so, why not have a super-sub gain recognition?
In the next nine months, there can be more bizarre match finishes. Southampton could themselves be involved in another such thriller all-over game.
However, will Manning be topped by someone achieving the same accolade in a lesser timeframe, the answer will probably be no.