Southampton 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

Last updated : 13 September 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Southampton striker James Beattie capped his marvellous week with a two-goal salvo to fire Saints to their second Premiership win in a row.

Beattie struck either side of half-time as Saints condemned woeful Wolves to yet another league defeat.

The 25-year-old opened the scoring from the penalty spot nine minutes before half-time.

Beattie fired low past Wolves goalkeeper Michael Oakes after veteran full back Denis Irwin had needlessly felled Kevin Phillips on the edge of the area.

Saints, buoyed by the 1-0 win over champions Manchester United two weeks ago, could have taken the lead as early as the 15th minute when the in-form Beattie headed just wide from a Fabrice Fernandes cross.

Wolves, who had conceded ten goals in their first four matches back in the top flight, had defender Jody Craddock to thank for keeping them level soon after.

Craddock bravely denied Phillips from six yards out with a superb last-ditch tackle after Fernandez's long-range shot had been spilt by Oakes.

Phillips should have put the home side in front less than 60 seconds later when he headed wide with only Oakes to beat after Frenchman Fernandez had crossed from the right.

But Saints didn't have to wait long until they were in front as Beattie took advantage of Irwin's clumsy tackle to score his third goal of the campaign.

Beattie, who was handed his first competitive start for England midweek, doubled the lead six minutes into the second half.

The former Blackburn trainee hammered an unstoppable shot past Oakes from a seemingly impossible angle after strike partner Phillips had played him through.

Wolves boss Dave Jones threw on new loan signing Joey Gudjonsson 27 minutes from time in a desperate bid to rescue a point.

But the Iceland international made little difference to the Midlanders' plight as the Premiership newcomers slumped to a fourth defeat in five matches.