Southampton 3-1 Leeds

Southampton got off to a perfect start to their Championship campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win over Leeds United. The result was the first season-opener won by Saints since beating Coventry on the opening day in 1999.

Two goals from Dean Hammond and Adam Lallana gave the home side the early advantage, and there was no way back for Leeds. David Connolly added a third shortly after half time, before Leeds grabbed a consolation goal from the penalty spot late on.

After a nervy start from Leeds, the first chance fell to the Yorkshire side - but Jonathan Howson shot straight at Kelvin Davis. However, a fantastic strike from Saints skipper Dean Hammond opened the scoring. The Leeds defence backed off and Hammond hit a sweet shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Max Gradel and Howson were trying their best to draw level, but Leeds couldn't find a decent final ball. A through ball from Rickie Lambert was pounced on by Adam Lallana. The midfielder produced a clever turn and perfect curling shot to give the hosts some breathing space.

Moments later Lallana nearly doubled his tally when Guly do Prado found the youngster. However, Andrew Lonergan smothered the shot to keep the score at 2-0.

Southampton sealed the three points seven minutes into the second half. David Connolly played a delightful one-two with Lallana before slotting the ball past the helpless Lonergan.

Leeds' best opportunity fell to substitute Billy Paynter, but Davis saved well as Southampton's defence scrambled the ball to safety. Richard Chaplow slammed a one-timer against the Leeds post as the contest fizzled out.

The visitors restored some pride after Aaron Martin has harshly penalised for handball in the penalty box. The ball appeared to hit Martin in the chest, but the penalty was awarded by the assistant referee. Gradel slotted home the spot kick but it was too little too late.

Adam Lallana showed he can make a name for himself this season if he can stay injury free and high in confidence. Southampton have depth in midfield, and adding an extra striker would give Nigel Atkins' squad real quality that could compete for the top places.

Jack Cork was not highly involved in any of his side's attacking dominance. However, defensively he frustrated Leeds from start to finish. If Cork can keep up the high level of commitment he showed on his debut, he could be vital to any success at St Mary's.

Southampton V Leeds Preview

Southampton V Leeds United

St Mary's Stadium

Saturday August 6, 17.20pm

Southampton start their Championship return with a tricky home game against Leeds. Celebrating the tenth anniversary of football at St Mary's, Saints have a good early test against one of the favourites for promotion.

Alex Chamberlain is still very much a Southampton player. However, the young winger suffered an ankle injury during a pre-season friendly with West Brom, and may not feature in the season opener.

Dean Hammond should return for Southampton in a very competitive and strong midfield which should see Jack Cork and Steve de Ridder make their debuts.

Leeds may various injury problems up front, most notably Luciano Becchio and Davide Soma. However, new singing Darren O'Dea should go into the starting line-up after his move from Celtic.

Both teams will fancy their chances, but Leeds will go into the game as favourites. Having missed out on the playoffs last season, the Yorkshire side will want a good start to the season.

Southampton usually make a slow start to their season, and Leeds' defeat on the opening day against Derby was the first time in 21 years, they had lost on the opening day.

Saints sign winger De Ridder

Southampton have signed Belgian winger Steve De Ridder from Dutch side De Graafschap for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old can play on either flank and could be a fitting replacement, should Alex Chamberlain leave St Mary's. Although Chamberlain featured during the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup, the youngster made public his wish to leave the club. Chamberlain was fined two weeks wages for his comments, but this has only added to speculation he is to leave the club.

De Ridder scored 12 times for De Graafschap and bagged 22 goals during a loan spell at Belgian second tier side Hamme. He is quick, skillful and a great crosser of the ball.

The new signing said: "I have got a great first impression about this Club, I have already been treated so well since I arrived and it has given me a lot of confidence. I hope to pay that back on the field.

"As soon as I arrived here I was convinced that this was the right move, this is a big adventure for me and I am looking forward to it. The Chairman showed me a video all about the Club and I was sold straight away.

"I played with Jan-Paul Saeijs in Holland and he told me that when he was here it was the best time of his life, so I am curious about what is in store for me."

Check out some of De Ridder's fantastic goals below.

Athletic Bilbao win Memorial Cup

Spanish side Athletic Bilbao lifted the first Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup after defeating both Southampton and Werder Bremen.

Southampton brushed aside Bremen with a 3-0 win, setting up the final showdown with the Spaniards. However, a second-string Saints team struggled to compete with Bilbao - who ended the game with a great goal with the last kick of the game.

Southampton 3-0 Werder Bremen

Southampton looked comfortable going forward against the German giants. Adam Lallana looked very sharp, and Alex Chamberlain and Jack Cork also impressed. A long through ball sent David Connolly through on goal and he finished with a smart shot to give Saints the opening goal.

With Lallana and Cork controlling midfield, German international Marko Marin was frustrated as he looked in search of an equaliser. A quick break from Alex Chamberlain sent Guly do Prado through, and the Brazilian's shot deflected off Bremen goalkeeper Sebastian Mielitz and crept into the net.

With Southampton in full control, Marin and Aaron Hunt tried their best to give their sid a chance. However, it was to no avail as Lallana bagged Southampton's third strike, scoring from close range.

The result probably flatted Saints, but Lallana and Cork looked very comfortable, and Connolly looked sharp.

Werder Bremen 1-2 Athletic Bilbao

In an entertaining game, Athletic Bilbao showed why they finished sixth in La Liga last season. The Spaniards' passing play was very attractive, with World Cup winner Fernando Llorente and David Lopez particularly impressive. The German side made nine changes, with Marko Arnautovic and Markus Rosenburg giving Bremen more attacking options.

However, Bilbao dominated and went ahead after a superb free-kick from Igor Gabilondo gave Tim Wiese no chance. Llorente had a powerful header cleared off the line, before the Germans drew level with a well-worked goal. Good work by Aaron Hunt set up Philipp Bargfrede who finished with a powerful volley.

Almost instantly a great ball in from Lopez found Gazika Toquero who tapped the ball home from close range to restore the Spaniards' lead, with no way back for Bremen.

Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Southampton

Southampton unveiled their new away kit as they lined up for the final game of the tournament against Bilbao. The yellow and blue kit is reminiscent of Brazil, but some of Southampton's play in the final game was more like Barnet than Brazil.

The second-string Saints team had trouble gelling. Radhi Jaidi looked out of his depth, making uncomfortable mistakes and some terrible positioning. One of Jaidi's mistakes was pounced on by Ibai Gomez. His shot was well saved by Kelvin Davis, but Igor Martinez was on hand to strike from close range.

Saints finally came to life, with Lee Barnard and Richard Chaplow looking threatening. Southampton pumped long balls into the Bilbao box, but no-one could create an opening. Davis left his goal in the closing stages in search of an equaliser from a late corner, but the goalkeeper couldn't connect- and instead collided with his opposite number Raul Fernandez.

With Saints running out of time to force penalties, Bilbao bowed out with a stunning goal with the last kick of the game. A delightful passing move was finished off by Markel Susaeta with a delicate chip.

The Spanish side collected the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup, having been the best team during the tournament. Saints will take heart from performances from Adam Lallana, Jack Cork and David Connolly. However, defensively Saints may need tightening up as their Championship campaign draws closer. Rickie Lambert did not feature for Saints, neither did new singing Steve De Ridder.

Why Chamberlain isn't ready for the Premiership

Alex Chamberlain has insisted he is ready to step up to the Premier League this season.

The 17-year-old impressed for Southampton in League One last season, helping his side gain automatic promotion to the Championship. However, very few players have successfully made the step up from the third tier to the Premier League.

Speaking to The Sun, Chamberlain said: "I've heard Arsenal are in for me and to join a top-four club is what I hope for.

"When the bus comes along, you have to jump on it and make the most of your opportunities. It's not every day you get a chance like that. I believe in my own ability and that I have what it takes to play in the Premier League.

"I've been at Southampton since I was seven and enjoyed every minute of it. They've brought me up in a really good way. The fans and the manager have been great and the club have made me what I am today.

"But I feel it's time for the next step. The way I see it, the Premier League is where I aspire to play. You aren't at the top of the game until you get there.

"I could spend a year in the Championship and, though this might sound negative, I could get injured and that opportunity might be lost. The next year another young star could come through and the opening might not come around again."

In 2010, Sol Campbell moved from Notts County to Arsenal. Although past his best, the former England and Tottenham star looked off the pace - only making 11 appearances on his return to the Gunners.

Liverpool snapped up highly-rated Jonjo Shelvey from Charlton. Since his arrival at Anfield a year ago the youngster has only featured 15 times for the Reds. Shelvey is still young, but Chamberlain has insisted he is ready to play Premier League football.

However, even Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale found it hard to break into top teams, and they had proven themselves in the Championship.

Chamberlain is a fantastic prospect for any top Premier League club. However, it seems an almighty risk to sign the 17-year-old based on ten goals in League One. The youngster will play for a big team, but he surely isn't ready to make the leap just yet.

Both Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott stood out in the Championship, earning them big moves to Tottenham and Arsenal respectively. If Chamberlain can prove himself this season, there is no reason why he will not feature in a Premier League squad in the following season.

However, if Chamberlain was to make the big move this summer, he would be lucky to find himself on the bench at Arsenal. The Gunners have several youngsters who fancy breaking into the first team. If Chamberlain can stand out in the Championship, he will stand head and shoulders above Arsenal's many talented youngsters.

New striker to sign before weekend tournament

Saints boss Nigel Atkins has hinted a new striker could line up for his side at this weekend's Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup.

Jack Cork was Southampton's first capture of the summer, signing earlier this month from Chelsea. Speculation has been mounting about Saints bringing in a striker, but nothing has been made public.

Speaking of the weekend's tournament, Atkins told Sky Sports: "The lads are going to be performing and, you never know, there might be one or two new players in addition to our fantastic football club by then.

"There's a lot of speculation about and we've been working very hard behind the scenes."

Many different players have been linked with a move to St Mary's, including Southampton schoolboy Lukas Jutkiewicz from Coventry and highly-rated Bristol City scorer Nicky Maynard.

The pressure is now on for Atkins to sign someone. With youngster Alex Chamberlain asking for a Premier League move, the Southampton management have done well not to draw attention to the 17-year-old's wish to play in the top tier this season.

With many of the top teams having already splashed a fair amount of money over the summer, the only big club in need of bolstering their midfield appears to be Arsenal. The pressure is on Arsene Wenger to spend as the Gunners brace themselves for losing some of their top stars.

Even without Chamberlain, Southampton could potentially have a good season in the Championship. However, another striker is key to any success. Rickie Lambert would benefit from a regular striking partner, and we may see him arrive this week.

Southampton host Werder Bremen and Athletic Bilbao at St Mary's this Saturday.

FC Biel-Bienne 3-3 Southampton

Saints' first pre-season tour got off to an eventful start with Alex Chamberlain grabbing his side a late equaliser.

The first game on Southampton's Swiss tour saw the visitors get off to the perfect start. Lee Holmes' pinpoint cross found David Connolly to head Saints ahead after six minutes. In a carbon copy of the opening goal, Holmes again found Connolly to double the away side's lead.

Saints looked comfortable, however, the home side woke up and piled the pressure on their opponents. Marco Mathys' low deflected drive wrong-footed Bartosz Bialkowski midway through the first half.

Adam Lallana and Connolly stood out in the first half as Southampton held a 2-1 lead at the break. Saints changed their entire team at the break. Kaua Safari took advantage of a sluggish start to the second half from Saints, slotting home after a good through ball to tie up the scores.

The inexperience of Saints in the second half allowed Biel to dominate, and they took the lead with less than ten minutes remaining. Southampton failed to clear their lines from a corner and Safari was on hand to grab his second goal of the game to make it 3-2.

Southampton didn't give up, however, and it was Alex Chamberlain who had the last say. Moments after going behind, the youngster hit a perfect shot past the Biel goalkeeper. The game ended level with Saints given a good first test on their pre-season tour.

New signing Jack Cork did not feature for Saints, as did Kelvin Davis and Lee Barnard. Southampton face FC St Gallen on Saturday.