Southampton produced a dramatic stoppage-time comeback to defeat promoted Wrexham 2-1 at a sold-out St Mary's, with substitute Ryan Manning and defender Jack Stephens scoring in the 90th minute and the sixth minute of added time to turn opening-day defeat into victory. Josh Windass's first-half penalty had given Wrexham a deserved lead on their long-awaited return to the Championship, only for Will Still's side to summon a furious late rally in the young manager's first game in charge.
For 43 years Wrexham had waited to play second-tier football again; two seasons ago Southampton were four divisions above them. Here, in the first league meeting between the clubs for 65 years, they met as equals. Wrexham's new-look side, featuring six summer signings in the starting XI, were close to a statement victory at a recently relegated Premier League side, but Southampton's depth, quality and persistence eventually told in a gripping finish that underlined both teams' potential for the season ahead.
Breathless first half as Windass puts Wrexham in front
The tone was set inside the opening minute when Ryan Fraser curled just wide to lift the home crowd, but Wrexham responded confidently. Josh Windass and Conor Coady both had early sights of goal as the visitors quickly showed why they have the highest net spend in the Championship this summer. Saints wing-back Welington then drilled into the side netting, while Windass, repeatedly finding clever pockets of space, rattled the crossbar with a superb 25-yard curler after being released by Kieffer Moore.