SAINTS forward Adam Armstrong scored a quickfire first-half double to help Saints beat Cardiff City 2-0 at St Mary's on Saturday.

Che Adams had the ball in the net early in the second half but it was flagged offside before substitute Joe Aribo struck the post. 

Here’s how we rated every Southampton player's performance in their win over Cardiff City…

Gavin Bazunu – 7.

Quick off his line to clear the ball away from Yakou Meite. Was beaten by Grant's effort, but the Cardiff man fired over. Not called upon very much.

Kyle Walker-Peters – 7.

Completed 100 per cent of his tackles. Practically covered the whole pitch in his roaming role. Smashed by a frustrated Ollie Tanner towards the end of the game.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 7.

Good position to track back and clear off the line with Bazunu down having cleared from Meite. Registered the most touches in the first half (65). Solid at the back as ever.

Jan Bednarek – 8.

Required treatment midway through the first half but was able to continue. Countless defensive interventions. Prevented Cardiff from mounting a comeback.

Ryan Manning – 8.

Direct in the early stages of the game. Delivered a dangerous low cross after pinching the ball from Perry Ng. Made 13 passes into the final third. Won the most duels and completed the most tackles. 

Shea Charles – 7.

Kept his place in the starting lineup. Offers something different to Will Smallbone in the middle. Looks at home at this level despite being early in his senior career.

Flynn Downes – 7.

Booked for a foul on Josh Bowler. Typical Downes performance - cutting out attacks before they can start and the go-to man to play out from the back.

Stuart Armstrong – 7.

His deflected cross led to Adam Armstrong’s second of the game. Had completed the most dribbles (four) before being replaced on 62 minutes.

Charly Alcaraz – 7.

Pulled out of an attempted overhead kick which has Saints fans on the edge of their seat. Provided the assist for Southampton’s first. Replaced just after the hour mark.

Adam Armstrong – 8.

Scored a quickfire double to help Saints to a perfect start to the game. Should have had a third on 39 minutes but his header was too tame. Tracked back so much. Could have had an assist had Ryan Fraser fired in.

Che Adams – 6.

Came in for the injured Kamaldeen Sulemana. Had the ball in the back of the net after the break but was ruled out for offside. Touch let him down for an easy close-range finish.

Substitutes

Joe Aribo – 7.

Introduced just after the hour mark. Hit the post with a low effort from the edge of the box. Played in Ryan Fraser for a good chance.

Ryan Fraser – 6.

Heavily involved after coming on. Could only fire wide when unmarked at the back post but was stretching to reach the ball. Fired into the side-netting moments later.

Sekou Mara - 6.

Came on in the 81st minute. Fired wide from a cross which was a bit behind him. Also fired into the keeper's hands from the edge.