Southampton reach Europa League playoff round after dispatching of Vitesse

Southampton have eased their way to the Europa League playoff round after securing a 2-0 win away at Vitesse in Thursday's third qualifying round clash at the GelreDome.

The Saints, leading 3-0 from the first leg at St Mary's, enjoyed a dream start in Arnhem as Graziano Pelle bore down on goal just four minutes in.

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He 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 sneaked past the last man and sent a low shot towards goal, which was blocked by the legs of Room.

The second half was effectively a formality as Vitesse were left with the unenviable task of overcoming a four-goal deficit in the space of 45 minutes.

With little more than pride left to play for, Valeri Kazaishvili forced a save from Maarten Stekelenburg just after the hour with a low shot from just outside the area.

Despite this, Southampton had the last say after Mane raced clear and fired low beyond the keeper with just a minute left to play and secure an emphatic 5-0 aggregate win.