Southampton 3-0 Sheffield United: Player Ratings as Dominant Saints Storm to Victory

Sheffield United's miserable start to the season continued on Sunday as they were comprehensively put to the sword by an excellent Southampton at St Mary's.

Southampton dominated (and I mean dominated) possession early on but found Sheffield United's high line hard to beat. It took 34 minutes for the Saints to make their breakthrough, with Che Adams poking home from a poorly defended free kick to give Southampton a much-deserved lead heading into the break.

The Saints continued their domination in the second half and doubled their lead on the hour mark through a heavily deflected effort from Stuart Armstrong. However, there was nothing scruffy about the Saints' third goal - a delightful team effort finished off by substitute Nathan Redmond - which put the icing on the cake of an excellent performance from Ralph Hasenhuttl's men.

SOUTHAMPTON

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Alex McCarthy (GK) - 6/10 - Was as much of a spectator as the rest of the fans back at St Mary's.

Kyle Walker-Peters (RB) - 7/10 - Barely had any defending to do so spent most of the game trying to get involved in attack. His dribbling gave Enda Stevens nightmares.

Jan Bednarek (CB) - 8/10 - Won almost every header that came his way, including in the free kick which led to Adams' opener.

Jannik Vestergaard (CB) - 9/10 - Absolutely dominant. Did all his defending perfectly and was sublime in attack, throwing long-range passes around with ease.

Ryan Bertrand (LB) - 7/10 - Spent most of the game as a central midfielder. Used his passing to give Southampton an extra weapon in attack.

2. Midfielders

Theo Walcott (RM) - 8/10 - The target of a lot of Vestergaard's great passing. Burst behind time and time again but lacked a cutting edge.

James Ward-Prowse (CM) - 8/10 - Picked passes with terrifying ease all day long. Happy to drop deep and defend when needed but spent most of the time trying to unlock Sheffield United's stubborn defence.

Oriol Romeu (CM) - 7/10 - Did more of the ugly work than Ward-Prowse and so wasn't involved as much, but consistently destroyed Sheffield United's attacks.

Stuart Armstrong (LM) - 8/10 - Another of those who spent the entire game roaming around. Played on both wings, in attack and deep in midfield. Deserved his goal (even if it was rubbish).

3. Forwards

Che Adams (ST) - 8/10 - Played on the shoulder of Sheffield United's defence and consistently caused problems with his movement. Had some deserved good-fortune for his goal. Impressed against his former side.

Danny Ings (ST) - 7/10 - Tore Southampton apart with his movement but probably should have done more with his chances. Could have had three or four goals.

4. Substitutes

Nathan Redmond - 7/10

Dan N'Lundulu - N/A

Ibrahima Diallo - N/A

SHEFFIELD UNITED

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) - 6/10 - Couldn't do anything about Adams' goal but managed to keep the scoreline respectable with some composed saves.

Phil Jagielka (CB) - 3/10 - The oldest outfield player to start a Premier League game for seven years, and definitely looked that way. Adams and Ings had him for dinner.

Chris Basham (CB) - 4/10 - The Blades' best attacker (that's not a compliment). Basham loved flying down the right wing but didn't pose too much of a threat. Struggled at the back.

John Egan (CB) - 4/10 - One of many to be at fault for Adams' goal. Didn't deal with Southampton's high press well at all.

6. Midfielders

George Baldock (RM) - 3/10 - Rarely touched the ball and often made mistakes because of his desperation to get involved. Can't fault the effort but can fault pretty much everything else.

Ethan Ampadu (CM) - 3/10 - Returned to the base of midfield, Ampadu looked lost at sea. Late to react to everything around him and looked far too uncomfortable.

Sander Berge (CM) - 3/10 - One of the most disappointing performers. Has all the talent but didn't look interested. Misplaced too many passes and couldn't match up with Ward-Prowse and Romeu.

John Fleck (CM) - 2/10 - Made far too many poor passes and consistently gifted Southampton some good chances. Never looked capable of getting his side back in the game.

Enda Stevens (LM) - 3/10 - Couldn't cope with the movement of Southampton's forwards. Left throwing in poor challenges in a desperate attempt to keep up.

7. Forwards

Billy Sharp (ST) - 3/10 - Sheffield United's inability to put together a run of passes meant Sharp was a bystander for most of the game. Tried to get involved but was overwhelmed by Southampton's press.

Oli McBurnie (ST) - 2/10 - Couldn't get involved and ended up just throwing his body around with very little impact. Hurt his shoulder taking a dive and had to be hauled off after the break.

8. Substitutes

David McGoldrick - 4/10

Rhian Brewster - 4/10

Lys Mousset - 5/10

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