Sheff Weds 1 Southampton 2: Che Adams the hero as striker climbs off bench to bag winner in Championship opener
CHE ADAMS rammed the boos down Sheffield Wednesday fans’ throats by firing Southampton to a winning start outside the Premier League.
The Saints striker got heckled from the moment he arrived at Hillsborough because of his time playing for bitter rivals Sheffield United.
But he climbed off the bench to snatch an 87th-minute goal to inflict Wednesday’s first league defeat since last November.
And he said: “To come on and score the winner at Sheffield Wednesday, there's no better place to score it.”
The relegated Saints were cruising as they were passing newly-promoted Wednesday to death after Nathan Tella’s 11th-minute curling effort took a slight deflection off team-mate Adam Armstrong to put them in front.
But Southampton better start learning how to defend set-pieces … and fast.
READ MORE TOP FOOTBALL
They were abysmal standing up to them last season in the Premier League and their woes continued as they failed to deal with one at Hillsborough.
Lee Gregory pounced from eight yards to direct the ball home after Dominic Iorfa headed down into his path from Barry Bannan’s corner.
That is what the Championship is all about. You are going to boss teams that are technically inferior across the park — but who know how to pick-pocket you from a set piece.
But thanks to Adams they got away with it last night.
Most read in Championship
And new boss Russell Martin said: “I was annoyed to concede from the set piece. It’s so important to defend them in the Championship but we deserved to win.
“I was so pleased for Che that he scored that winner because he got so much stick from Sheffield Wednesday fans as he got off the bus and it was a great team goal as well.
“I’m going to watch it again because I loved it so much.
"Leaving Che out of the team was the toughest decision. He's been amazing.
He's such a brilliant and important character in the group.
“This team is only going to get stronger because there is so much belief in this team.”
James Ward-Prowse put the ball on a plate for Adams’ goal and was also instrumental in the opener — but Martin is going to have to show huge powers of persuasion to keep him with West Ham linked with the midfield ace.
He said: “We don’t know what the future is going to hold but James was brilliant tonight. He’s such a high quality player.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
"We've had a lot going on, a lot of noise around the place which we can't control. The way the players have handled it and performed on the pitch tonight - I'm so proud of them.
Martin went over to applaud the travelling fans before the teams came out — clearly wanting to get them on-side.
Martin gave a debut to Ryan Manning, who followed him from Swansea while £10million signing from Manchester City Shea Charles started on the bench.
Tella, who had a superb season on loan for Championship winners Burnley, also was in the starting line up and he swiftly made a huge impact as Saints moved in front.
Picking up the ball from Kyle Walker-Peters on the right edge of the box, he curling a shot into the top left corner past keeper Cameron Dawson.
But the ball took a slight touch off the back of Armstrong on its way so the goal was harshly credited to him instead
Wednesday were struggling to lay a glove on their opponents and struggling to press.
Southampton were passing the hosts to death with some high-quality, simple football.
Carlos Alcaraz then rode a couple of challenges before a superb low 20-yard drive flash just wide of the right post.
Down the other end, Wednesday were presented a rare chance when Saints half cleared the ball and Tyreeq Bakinson fired a 25-yard effort just over the bar.
Tella tried another cracker from almost the same position as the opening goal but this time Dawson managed to tip the ball over.
After the break, Wednesday upped the tempo and were able to get back on terms.
Dominic Iorfa superbly headed down a Bannan corner into the path of Gregory to pounce from eight yards out to volley home.
Sub Stuart Armstrong tried his luck with a 25-yard effort but it flashed over the bar before the Adams late show.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Gutted Owls boss Xisco Munoz said: “It was disappointing not to hold on for a point but Southampton are a quality team and we went close to getting a good result tonight.
“We showed a lot of desire out there but unfortunately it was not enough tonight.”
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football