Southampton came from behind to secure a famous 2-1 win over European giants Inter Milan in the Europa League on Thursday.
Mauro Icardi’s first half goal gave managerless Inter the lead 12 minutes before half-time but, despite Dusan Tadic’s missed penalty in first half stoppage time, the Saints were not to be beaten.
A sensational second half display saw Virgil Van Dijk equalise when he reacted quickest in the six-yard box, and then Tadic’s teasing cross was turned home by Inter defender Yuto Nagatamo to give the Saints a deserved lead.
The home side comfortably saw the game out, securing a massive win for a club who little over six years ago had just won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy with victory over Carlisle United at Wembley.
Unsurprisingly, many Southampton players produced brilliant performances on the South Coast last night, but two players in particular have come in for praise from Saints fans on Twitter, namely Van Dijk and James Ward-Prowse.
Defender Van Dijk has been one of the best centre-backs in the country in the last few months, and produced another excellent display at the back for the Saints last night.
Ward-Prowse on the other hand hasn’t featured too much in the Premier League, but he reminded everyone what he can do with a masterful effort in the centre of midfield.
Here are how some Saints fans reacted on Twitter to Van Dijk’s superb performance yesterday…
Virgil van Dijk – best CB in the premier league? #saintsfc
— Sam (@samjoyce_95) November 3, 2016
VVD has to be one of the best defenders in Europe atm be lucky to keep hold of him come January #saintsfc
— Westy (@westy1988) November 4, 2016
And, unsurprisingly, some are already concerned at how long the club can keep hold of the central defender…
Can everyone tell Liverpool, Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs supporting friends that Virgil Van Dijk is overrated please? #saintsfc
— Matty (@MattyEarle) November 4, 2016
How much longer we see him in a #saintsfc shirt I don't know but Van Dijk is the greatest player I've seen play for Southampton 👌🏻
— Adam (@ATH_93_) November 3, 2016
…while some say that the club should do whatever is necessary to keep him at St Mary’s…
i wouldn't sell VVD for even 100 million, that's how much i rate him. he's the one player we should keep no matter what. #saintsfc
— ً (@djenepomagic) November 4, 2016
Offer Virgil a contract for life and pay him £90m per week. #saintsfc #anythingyouwant
— Home & Away Saint (@HomeAwaySaint) November 4, 2016
Supporters have also been singing the praises of Ward-Prowse, who was brilliant for Southampton last night…
@Prowsey16 my MOTM tonight, work rate was incredible, could tell this game meant more to him. Brilliant all game 👏 #saintsfc
— Liam Dibden (@LiamDibden) November 4, 2016
Great to have been at St. Mary's for a great European night for #saintsfc . A special mention for @Prowsey16 who was superb all game.
— Andy Briggs (@andy__briggs) November 3, 2016
That was wonderful. Best performance in a Saints shirt from James Ward-Prowse who was exceptional, driving the side forward #saintsfc
— Felix Keith (@felixkeith) November 3, 2016
Credit to @Prowsey16 tonight, fantastic from start to finish. Slotted in perfectly. Fair play to you. #saintsfc
— Hitch (@JamesHitchiner) November 3, 2016