Graziano Pelle own goal on Southampton debut proves decisive

Graziano Pelle scored an own goal on his home debut to hand Bayer Leverkusen a 1-0 win in Southampton's final pre-season game ahead of the Premier League season.

The first half began quietly with neither side going close, but Maya Yoshida almost put the Saints ahead midway through the first half. However, his shot from a corner cannoned back off the foot of the post.

Gonzalo Castro almost scored a bizarre own goal after half an hour, but Bernd Leno dashed back to spare his teammate's blushes.

In the 57th minute, Pelle wasn't so lucky as the summer signing diverted a corner beyond Artur Boruc to give the away side the lead.

Another new Saints recruit Saphir Taider was introduced as a second-half substitute and almost got his name on the scoresheet immediately, but his long-range effort was defelcted just over the bar. It was then the turn of Gaston Ramirez to go close, but his shot fizzed narrowly over.

Stefan Kiessling saw his dink cleared off the line by the covering Ryan Bertrand at the other end, but the visitors held on to their slender lead to record a 1-0 win.