Player Ratings: Southampton 2-1 Queens Park Rangers

Southampton consolidated their position in second place in the Premier League table, with a 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers at St Mary's Stadium this afternoon.

After a goalless first half, Ryan Bertrand slammed home an opener for the Saints, before Charlie Austin's excellent quick response.

However, it was to be in vein, as Graziano Pelle scored a superb acrobatic effort for the hosts to give them all three points.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the game's star performers.

Southampton

Goal

Fraser Forster: After he had very little to do during the first period, the England hopeful had no chance with Austin's instinctive effort. Solid elsewhere. (7/10)

Defence

Nathaniel Clyne: Rightly booked for a poor tackle on Armand Traore in the first half. Going forward, he was always a threat, linking well with both Tadic and Mane down the right. (6/10)

Ryan Bertrand: Scored his first Saints goal with a powerful effort on 54 minutes. As threatening as Clyne on the other side, Koeman will be very content with his options at full-back. (7/10)

Toby Alderweireld: Equal to almost everything QPR threw at him, the Belgian looks a superb acquisition to replace Dejan Lovren at the heart of the defence. Solid. (7/10)

Jose Fonte: Looks at home alongside Alderweireld after his excellent partnership with Lovren last term. Very tidy, as expected. (6/10)

Midfield

Steven Davis: Intelligent stuff from the midfielder as part of a three. Unlucky not to score when a late effort smacked Green's upright. (7/10)

Victor Wanyama: A surprise to see him subbed after Southampton took the lead, he was often the one to break up QPR advances. (7/10)

Morgan Schneiderlin: Known as a defensive midfielder, but the Frenchman should have done better with a first-half effort that he placed wide. Very strong though generally. (7/10)

Attack

Sadio Mane: A player who is surely going to shine in the Premier League, the electric wideman was always a threat today. His deft back heel set up Bertrand's opener. (8/10)

Dusan Tadic: Not his best performance so far, though it was still capped with another assist. Often made the wrong decision when in the box, however. (6/10)

Graziano Pelle: There will be few better goals than his this weekend, with his acrobatic attempt winning his side the points. His hold up play was also sublime. (8/10)

Substitutes

Jack Cork: Lovely through-ball to Tadic late on, allowing the Serb to get a shot off. (6/10)

Shane Long: Will be disappointed not to have opened his Saints account after allowing Green to save a weak one on one effort. (5/10)

Matt Targett: On late as the Saints killed the clock. (5/10)

Queens Park Rangers

Goal

Rob Green: Could maybe have done better with Bertrand's goal, though he had little chance with Pelle's winner. Looked strong during the first half. (6/10)

Defence

Mauricio Isla: Offered little down the right hand side and struggled as Southampton attack frequently. (6/10)

Rio Ferdinand: Gave the ball away in some dangerous positions, when you'd expect his experienced head to know better. (5/10)

Steven Caulker: Got in the way of a number of Southampton shots, with his block diverting a first half shot of Tadic's on to the post. (6/10)

Armand Traore: Appears to have played his way back into Redknapp's plans but looked out of sorts on the left. (5/10)

Midfield

Sandro: Off after nine minutes with possible concussion. (6/10)

Leroy Fer: Showed glimpses of his talent in the midfield of the park, but was offered little help by his teammates against a strong Saints three. (6/10)

Niko Kranjcar: Was the crossbar's width away from repeating his free kick trick from last week. (6/10)

Matty Phillips: Barely involved at all as an attacking force, much of his work was defensive as QPR were forced back. Replaced by Hoilett. (5/10)

Attack

Eduardo Vargas: Seems to be forming a pretty decent understanding with Austin, and the two combined for QPR's leveller. (6/10)

Charlie Austin: Wonderful goal, only outdone by Pelle's minutes later. It was an instinctive finish from the striker, who displayed his talent within the box. (7/10)

Substitutes

Karl Henry: On for Sandro within the first 10 minutes, the midfielder was booked for a tug on Mane. Possibly out of his depth in a Premier League side, these days. (5/10)

Junior Hoilett: Looked far more threatening than Phillips - the man he replaced. Would be surprised if he didn't come back into the lineup next weekend. (6/10)

Bobby Zamora: Not on for long, but caused problems with his height in the box. (6/10)