SAINTS recorded a 1-1 pre-season draw against Lazio on Wednesday evening in a game which will be best remembered for a brawl between both sets of players.

Charly Alcaraz and Alessio Romagnoli saw red after both benches were forced to pull a fight between both squads apart.

Alcaraz stood up to the Lazio players who surrounded him before all-out chaos erupted at St Mary's.

Ben Brereton Diaz had given Saints the lead on his full debut before Valentín Castellanos pulled level with a stunning equaliser.

Alcaraz was a top performer on the night and received a roaring ovation from the home fans when he was given his marching orders.

Saints returned to match action at St Mary's for the first time since winning promotion when they welcomed Serie A giants Lazio.

The game took place despite some fears of a postponement due to protests planned elsewhere in the city.

Summer signing Brereton Diaz got his first start while Frenchman Sekou Mara returned having missed the trip to Millwall.

The hosts were quick out of the gates and saw two early opportunities for Sam Amo-Ameyaw thwarted.

The fast start continued. Just five minutes into his first St Mary's outing, Brereton Diaz cut in off the left and curled a shot past Ivan Provedel.

Luca Pellegrini sent a free-kick over the bar after Saints were forced to concede a foul having played into pressure.

Some important defending from Nathan Wood kept Saints ahead when they played into Lazio's press once again.

Southampton had a chance to make it two when Shea Charles and Amo-Ameyaw combined to feed Mara, but the Frenchman missed the ball.

Lazio wasted no time launching a counter and could have equalised had it not been for Ryan Manning's important slide tackle.

The Irish defender was playing at left-centre-back, as he had done previously at Swansea under Martin, with Charlie Taylor selected at left-wing-back.

The visitor's pressure did eventually pay off when they pulled level through Castellanos' acrobatic finish.

The Argentine forward controlled the ball out of the air before firing a scissor-kick past the helpless McCarthy.

A moment of brilliance was followed by two moments of madness.

McCarthy was beaten to the ball by Manuel Lazzari, but with nobody to beat on the line, the Italian dragged his effort wide of the post.

Southampton wrestled back control of the and looked dangerous down the right wing again, however, Lazio's threat remained on the break.

Goalscorer Brereton Diaz was withdrawn at the break, alongside Manning, as Tyler Dibling and Sam Edozie entered.

Dibling continued to impress and caught the eye with an impressive drive forward, but he picked the wrong pass with Amo-Ameyaw in support.

Lazio nearly pulled ahead with their first chance of the second half when Isaksen crashed an effort off the underside of the crossbar.

The woodwork came to their rescue again minutes later. Castellanos tried to dink the ball home, when he should have used power, and saw the ball bounce off the bar.

The game descended into chaos around the hour mark as a mass brawl erupted between both sides as four Lazio players sized up Alcaraz.

The Argentine didn't back down and saw a red for his reaction after both benches rushed on to break up the battle.

Italian international Romagnoli also saw red for his role in the brawl before the game continued after a lengthy delay.

Will Smallbone, Joe Aribo, Jack Stephens and Yukinari Sugawara entered a game which had gone flat in the aftermath of the fight.

Edozie was denied a late winner when his low effort was palmed away from goal after he twisted free in the box.

Saints: McCarthy, Bree, Edwards, Wood, Taylor, Manning, Charles, Alcaraz, Amo-Ameyaw, Mara, Brereton Diaz.

Lazio: Provedel, Pellegrini, Vecino, Guendouzi, Zaccagni, Castellanos, Romagnoli, Casale, Isaksen, Lazzari, Cataldi.