Half-Time Report: Southampton on verge of Europa League progress after taking lead at Vitesse

Southampton are on the verge of qualifying for the Europa League playoff round after they took a 1-0 half-time lead away at Vitesse on Thursday evening.

The Saints enjoyed a dream start at the GelreDome as Graziano Pelle bore down on goal just four minutes in.

He then acted quickly to lash a powerful drive across the face of goal and inside the far post, leaving opposition goalkeeper Eloy Room stranded.

Vitesse rarely threatened in the first half, though Steven Caulker had to be alert to thwart Milot Rashica's dangerous effort on the half-hour mark.

Just a few minutes later, however, Ronald Koeman's charges nearly doubled their lead when Sadio Mane snuck past the last man and sent a low shot towards goal, which was blocked by the legs of Room.