Sheff Weds 1 Southampton 2: Che Adams the hero as striker climbs off bench to bag winner in Championship opener

CHE ADAMS climbed off the bench to   give Southampton a  winning start to life outside the Premier League.

The striker had only been on the pitch for eight minutes when he steered home from an 87th-minute James Ward-Prowse pass.

ReutersLate sub Che Adams celebrates his neat winner for relegated Southampton[/caption]

PAScotland striker Adams slots home a clincher to devastate the promoted Owls[/caption]

Saints took the lead in the 11th minute when Nathan Tella’s  curling effort took a slight deflection off team-mate Adam Armstrong.

But Southampton better start learning how to defend set-pieces — conceding a 54th-minute leveller when 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 as they inflicted Wednesday’s first home league defeat since September.

Last season these clubs were two divisions apart but now they are on an even keel.

Saints had a wretched campaign and crashed out of the Prem after finishing rock bottom — while Wednesday got promoted through the League One play-offs.

Southampton are hoping to bounce straight back up to the top flight — but only needed to look at their hosts as a warning of what can happen if you do not get back up while you have the parachute payments.

It is now 23 years since the Owls were in the Premier League.

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New Saints boss Russell Martin went over to applaud the travelling fans before the teams came out — clearly wanting to get them on-side.

And those fans were thrilled to see Ward-Prowse start and captain the side — despite reports linking the 25-year-old midfield ace with a move to West Ham.

Martin gave a debut to Ryan Manning, who followed him from Swansea, while £10m signing from Manchester City Shea Charles began on the bench.

Tella, who had a superb season on loan for Championship winners Burnley, was also in the starting line-up.

And he swiftly made a huge impact as Saints took an eighth-minute lead when he picked up the ball from Kyle  Walker-Peters on the right edge of the box before curling a shot on goal.

The strike 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 finding it difficult  to press their opponents.

Southampton were passing the hosts to death with some high-quality, simple football.

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Carlos Alcaraz then rode a couple of  challenges before a superb low 20-yard drive flashed just wide of the right post.

Gregory saw himself booked after being too slow that he caught Sam Edozie with a late  challenge 25 yards out.

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 keeper Cameron Dawson managed to tip the ball over.

Juan Delgado tripped Sam Edozie 25 yards out to pick up a booking but Ward-Prowse fired the free-kick straight at Dawson.

After the break, Wednesday upped the tempo and were able to get back on terms.

Iorfa superbly headed down a Bannan corner into the path of Gregory to pounce from eight yards out to volley home.

The goal lifted Wednesday and the home crowd  and Saints were in for some rough treatment.

Alcaraz was clattered on the edge of the Wednesday job by a strong but fair challenge from Bakinson.

Sub Stuart Armstrong tried his luck with a 25-yard effort but it flashed over the bar.

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