When The Saints Go Marching In

As the Premier League kicked off earlier this month, Ronaldo's Southampton were optimistic about the month ahead. However, their optimism soon turned to disappointment after the month was over. With games against Newcastle, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion in the league, and a cup tie against Sky Bet League 1 side Sheffield United, let's take a look at how the team did this month.

: Victor Wanyama

The first game of the season saw Southampton travel up north to play Alan Pardew's Newcastle United. Newcastle were dominant throughout the first half and capitalized on this when Frenchman Hatem Ben Arfa picked up a short pass from Yohan Cabaye on the edge of the Southampton area before unleashing a screamer from 20 yards that nestled into the top corner of the net. Despite the best efforts of new signing Victor Wanyama, who picked up the Man Of The Match award, Southampton were unable to get back into the game and as the final whistle came, the scores remained the same. Goalscorer Ben Arfa was forced off in the 80th minute with injury but word is that it is only minor and he will be back for Newcastle's next game. Attendance: 52,246.

: Edin Džeko

After the narrow loss to Newcastle in the previous game, Southampton looked to turn things around when they hosted Manchester City. However, despite a respectable performance against the giants, an Edin Džeko goal sealed the victory for City. The goal came after just ten minutes when James Milner whipped a free kick into the penalty area, and Džeko made the goal look simple as he lofted a header over the goalkeeper. A much better performance from The Saints, but unfortunately another loss. Will they be able to pick themselves up from this? Attendance: 32,689.

: Eduardo

After two losses in a row, Southampton looked for their first points of the season when they came up against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns. And things started well for them, as Pablo Osvaldo picked up a brilliant through ball from Gastón Ramírez, before superbly chipping the keeper from 18 yards out to score Southampton's first goal of the season.

However, straight after half time, new Baggies signing Eduardo was picked out on the edge of the penalty area by Youssouf Mulumbu. The Croatian took a touch to bring the ball inside the area before firing the ball across goal to beat Artur Boruc in the Southampton goal. Ten minutes later, another link-up between Gastón Ramírez and Pablo Osvaldo saw the Italian striker score his second after getting on the end of a fantastic ball and smashing it into the top corner. Soon after, another brace was completed when Eduardo pulled West Brom level for the second time with a goal similar to his first. With just over five minutes to play in the match, Dejan Lovren was fouled in the penalty area by Goran Popov and a penalty was given. Up stepped Rickie Lambert to fire Southampton into the lead for the third time. Four minutes later, another penalty was given - however this one was awarded to the home side. Shane Long fired the ball into the net to make the final scoreline 3-3. The match was a fantastic one, and Southampton will now be happy that they have recorded their first point. Attendance: 26,445.

: Pablo Osvaldo

Southampton were drawn against Sky Bet League 1 side Sheffield United in the second round of this years Capital One Cup. The match was played at Bramall Lane. Southampton were looking to avoid an upset here, but just before twenty minutes had passed, José Fonte was wrongly adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. Elliot Whitehouse took the penalty and coolly slotted it into the bottom corner. Southampton equalized soon after, however, when a fine pass from Gastón Ramírez found Pablo Osvaldo. He took the ball into the box before blasting the ball into the top right corner from a tight angle on the left side of the penalty area.

There were no more goals in the first half and the match seemed destined for extra time. That was until Pablo Osvaldo scored his second goal deep into second half stoppage time. A cracking shot from Rickie Lambert from 30 yards out bounced back off of the crossbar, where Osvaldo was lurking, and he tapped the ball in with ease to ensure Southampton were in the draw for the next round. Attendance: 13,584.