Goodnightpublished at 22:26 British Summer Time 4 August 2023
Sheff Wed 1-2 Southampton
Image source, PA MediaThank you everyone for following along tonight.
Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, have a good one.
Football is back!
Goodnight.
Summary
Goals from Tella and Adams give Southampton victory
Sheff Wed had levelled through Gregory volley
Ward-Prowse started for Saints, Lavia on bench, Livramento not involved
Owls back in Championship after winning League One play-offs
Saints finished bottom of Premier League last season
Goodnightpublished at 22:26 British Summer Time 4 August 2023
Image source, PA MediaPostpublished at 22:26 British Summer Time 4 August 2023
#bbcefl
Tonight's game between Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton was just the beginning.
There are eight more matches in the Championship on Saturday - all kicking off at 15:00 BST - and you can follow live text coverage of those games right here on the BBC Sport website and app.
Norwich City v Hull City
Plymouth Argyle v Huddersfield
Bristol City v Preston
Middlesbrough v Millwall
Stoke City v Rotherham
Swansea v Birmingham
Blackburn Rovers v West Brom
Watford v QPR
Plus, we will be bringing you the latest scores and updated from League One and League Two.
Postpublished at 22:17 British Summer Time 4 August 2023
FT: Sheff Wed 1-2 Southampton
Image source, Rex FeaturesDo we think Southampton boss Russell Martin enjoyed that one?
Relief or joy? You decide.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 22:14 British Summer Time 4 August 2023
Use #bbcefl, text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply) or WhatsApp on 03301231826
Nik: Can we just end the 2023-24 season here please?
Imagine if they did - what would we do with our lives?!
'You can see what Saints are about'published at 22:09 British Summer Time 4 August 2023
FT: Sheff Wed 1-2 Southampton
Jo Tessem
Ex-Southampton midfielder on BBC Radio SolentThat was controlled and you can see what this Southampton side is about in how they are passing the ball.
It would have been criminal to leave with only one point - they were so much better.
I do think Southampton need to be better in terms of penetrating defences and creating chances, they need to punish teams.
It's one thing keeping the ball, it's another to be aggressive in front of goal.
FULL-TIMEpublished at 22:05 British Summer Time 4 August 2023
Sheff Wed 1-2 Southampton
Image source, Rex FeaturesWhat a start to the new Championship season.
Southampton open with a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Adam Armstrong put Saints ahead inside 10 minutes and Che Adams added the second in the 87th minute.
It's the first time Southampton have won on opening day in 10 years.
Postpublished at 90mins +7
Sheff Wed 1-2 Southampton
Southampton are putting on a clinic in how to run out the clock here.
Slick passing, maintaining possession and looking confident that they've got this one locked up.
90 seconds left.
Postpublished at 90 mins +3
Sheff Wed 1-2 Southampton
Six minutes left.
The game has calmed a little.
Saints are holding the ball up.
Can Wednesday regain possession and muster one final effort on goal?
INJURY TIMEpublished at 90 mins +1
Sheff Wed 1-2 Southampton
This has been a much more even second half from both sides.
But Southampton are still the jalapeno pepper and Wednesday the regular bell pepper.
That's the difference. The spice.
Just the nine minutes of injury time.
GOAL: Sheff Wed 1-2 Southamptonpublished at 86 mins
Che Adams
Image source, Rex FeaturesA beautiful assist from James Ward-Prowse on the far side edge of the six-yard-box.
The Saints captain with a first-time pullback pass, fizzes through the box low into the feet of substitute Che Adams, who with his right foot pumps the ball into the corner of the net.
Calm as you like and Southampton are back ahead late on.
'Saints need to find a way to kill games'published at 21:51 British Summer Time 4 August 2023
Sheff Wed 1-1 Southampton
Jo Tessem
Ex-Southampton midfielder on BBC Radio SolentIf you're Southampton you need to find a way to kill games off this season.
I say that Man City play like this in the Premier League but they have players who can kill the game off. You can't do that when you are conceding goals.
A lot of teams in the Championship will only score their goals from set pieces.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 85 mins
Sheff Wed 1-1 Southampton
Sheffield Wednesday make another substitution.
Reece James replaces Josh Windass.
Less than five minutes of regular time left.
YELLOW CARDpublished at 84 mins
Sheff Wed 1-1 Southampton
Southampton's Jack Stephens is the latest player to be yellow-carded.
The referee has been busy with his book tonight.
Postpublished at 83 mins
Sheff Wed 1-1 Southampton
Sheffield Wednesday are defending like demons.
Repelling every Saints corner and cross with towering headers to clear.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 79 mins
Sheff Wed 1-1 Southampton
Southampton make their first changes as Russell Martin opts to freshen their attack.
Stuart Armstrong is on for Carlos Alcaraz.
And Che Adams is on for Adam Armstrong.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 78 mins
Sheff Wed 1-1 Southampton
A double change for the home side.
Striker Ashley Fletcher is on for full-back Juan Delgado.
And Liam Palmer is on for Will Vaulks.
CHANCEpublished at 77 mins
Sheff Wed 1-1 Southampton
Not a bad effort from Southampton's Adam Armstrong who shoots from distance.
His shot floats toward the top corner but wide.
Not a high percentage shot but it keeps the Wednesday keeper honest.
'It's time for a change'published at 21:41 British Summer Time 4 August 2023
Sheff Wed 1-1 Southampton
Jo Tessem
Ex-Southampton midfielder on BBC Radio SolentI think the Southampton players have gotten tired and the pace has dropped. A few players have disappeared a little bit.
It's always going to happen in the first game, but I think it's time to change things - not the system, just players.
I think Che Adams might change the pattern if he comes on.
Postpublished at 75 mins
Sheff Wed 1-1 Southampton
Image source, Rex FeaturesLess than 20 minutes left and the game is more back-and-forth now.
Both sides on the attack.
I wouldn't be surprised if we had a couple more goals.
Postpublished at 72 mins
Sheff Wed 1-1 Southampton
Image source, Rex FeaturesThe substitute Anthony Musaba flies down the right wing with the ball at his feet and looks dangerous.
But a strong challenge from a Saints defender, who slid in like a heat-seeking missile, intercepts, and sends the Dutchman to the turf.
A clean hard tackle.