Southampton 0 Wolves 2 – player ratings

Will Norris

A big night for the keeper who has more than 100 appearances to his name but had never faced a Premier League team before last night...and he did Wolves proud. Dealt with everything came his way with minimal fuss. And produced a spectacular save from Maya Yoshida's goalbound header, diving at full stretch, when the score was at 0-0. 8/10

Ryan Bennett

With Roderick Miranda having endured a torrid time against Cardiff it was a big night for both Bennett and Batth to potentially force their way into the team for Brentford on Saturday. Both players did themselves no harm at all. Bennett was confident and assured and dealt with the threat of Sofiane Boufal. 8/10

Danny Batth

He'll have had his nose put out of joint by starting the season on the bench but this was the perfect response from the club captain. One error in the first half when he didn't clear, leading to a big chance for Tadic, but otherwise he was excellent, particularly in the last 20 minutes when Saints upped the pressure and threw a succession of crosses into the box which often led to a Batth clearance. Scored his fourth goal since April 1 with a finely-taken header. Nothing silly in possession and even had the confidence to shimmy past a confused Charlie Austin with some Stearman-esque skills. 8/10

Sylvain Deslandes

A first senior appearance since April 2016. Looks more suited to left-sided centre half than wing back, as was the case in pre-season. Great attitude and enthusiasm for the game, but Deslandes has also matured. Made a couple of errors – but he immediately made up for them too. A great first half challenge when Austin was drifting into the box and he also rampaged forward from a corner to set Wolves on the counter attack. A huge test for him against such quality opponents and he must be commended for the way he handled it. 8/10

Jordan Graham

His first half was mostly about defending with quick Southampton wing back Sam McQueen pegging him back. A very fruitful start to the second half when he and Connor Ronan got plenty of joy down the right flank. Showed the good work ethic needed for that wing back role. He was effectively a right-back in those closing minutes. Good discipline and restraint in what was a solid performance for the team. 7/10

Jack Price

He disappointed in the first round against Yeovil but Price enjoyed himself here and was arguably the game's standout midfielder. Always showed for the ball and rarely gave it away. Sent one perfect ball over the back line for Dicko in the opening minutes. Even got in a rare shot at goal, which looked goalbound but was blocked. 8/10

David Edwards

As with Price he was off the pace against Yeovil but much improved here. His night was mostly about protecting the back four and closing down Southampton's three attacking midfielders. Nothing outlandish in possession, merely moved it on to his more creative team mates. 7/10

Ruben Vinagre

Aged just 18 and looks an exciting prospect. Constantly tried to spark something with Ivan Cavaleiro down the left, especially in the first half. A pacey, direct approach and some decent through balls too. Defensively there wasn't much experience between him and Deslandes but the pair can be pleased with their efforts. 7/10

Ben Marshall

A shock inclusion from the start after six weeks out with a hip injury. Tried his best to make an impact but this wasn't his night. Looked rusty, which after not featuring at all in pre-season or for the under-23s, was understandable. Withdrawn at half time. 5/10

Nouha Dicko

Spurned three chances in a remarkable 90-second blitz early on. If your glass is half full you'll say it's great that he was getting in the positions, ghosting free of Southampton defenders and playing smartly off the last man. If it's half empty you'll say he simply has to be putting at least two of those chances away. Both are true in this case. 6/10

Ivan Cavaleiro

A first start of the season and he was the main creative spark until Ronan's half time introduction. Linked well with Vinagre, showed good tenacity to win the ball back and set up Dicko for a golden chance. And he swung over the corner for Batth's opening goal. That's two assists and a goal from his 165 minutes of action in four appearances. 7/10

Substitutes

Connor Ronan (for Marshall, 45)

After a poor showing against Yeovil this was much more like the player who so deeply impressed after breaking into the squad last season. Nuno wanted him to get on the ball and try and control the game...that's exactly what he did. A bright spark who helped Wolves regain the initiative at the start of the second half with some inventive passing and a few smart interceptions. A star in the making. 8/10

Michal Zyro (for Dicko, 75)

It's been 16 long months since Zyro was cruelly and devastatingly taken out of action by that horror tackle from MK Dons' Antony Kay. In the excitement of the new campaign he'd almost become the forgotten man, with talk of an imminent loan move (which may still be the case). But the Pole showed what he can offer with a breezy cameo which included an excellent assist for Wilson's second. Great to see him back on a football field. Another with a brilliant attitude for the game. 7/10

Donovan Wilson (for Cavaleiro, 85)

The prolific under-23 youngster did exactly what was asked of him. Nuno wanted Wilson to exploit the expanding gaps in the Saints defence as the home side pushed forward in search of an equaliser...two minutes after being sent on he took Zyro's pass and beat England international goalkeeper Fraser Forster. His celebration was pure passion. Great to see. 8/10

Subs not used: Burgoyne, Johnson, Goncalves, Armstrong.