Southampton solid at the back as Europa League run continues

Saints happy to be in Europe as new-look defence sends Premier League warning with another clean sheet

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(Image credit: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

By Steve Hoare

Vitesse 0 Southampton 2. Southampton might have lost centre-back Toby Alderweireld to Tottenham, right-back Nathaniel Clyne to Liverpool plus goalkeeper Fraser Forster and left-back Ryan Bertrand to injury but the Premier League's second-meanest defence proved it has strength in depth as Saints beat Vitesse 0-2 to qualify for the next round of the Europa League.

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is a freelance journalist who writes on topics ranging from law and business to music festivals, gambling and sport. He is the former news editor of The Lawyer and the current editor of online gambling magazine GIQ.