Southampton 3 Leeds United 1: Grayson left fuming as Leeds are cut down to size by slick Saints

“It was a shock to the system considering how well we played six days before against Newcastle, when we had energy, passion, desire. We had none of that,” said Grayson.

“Too many players went out to do their own thing and not what we told them and that’s where we’ve come unstuck.

“There has been nothing wrong in training, we knew Southampton would pass through midfield and people didn’t do what we asked them to do.

“That’s extremely disappointing and if they don’t do it, the team will suffer. Southampton looked far better than us.”

Dean Hammond, Adam Lallana and David Connolly were on target as Nigel Adkins’s side began the season in style.

Leeds pulled one back in stoppage time when Max Gradel scored from the penalty spot but it was a mere consolation.

These teams met in the Premier League just seven years ago but both have since plumbed the depths of League One.

On this early evidence, it is the South coast side who look better equipped to challenge for promotion back to the top flight this term.

Leeds did squander a great chance in the eighth minute when Jonathan Howson shot straight at Kelvin Davis, who made a fine reaction save.

But less than two minutes later the hosts took the lead – and they never looked back.

Hammond collected the ball midway inside the Leeds half, strode forward and fizzed a precise shot past Andy Lonergan and inside the post.

Slick Saints doubled their advantage in the 24th minute when Rickie Lambert played in England Under-21 international Lallana, who turned inside Andy O’Brien before netting.

Leeds were almost three down moments later when the ball fell to Lallana but this time Lonergan was able to beat out his effort.

Lambert nearly opened his account with a free-kick which hit the sidenetting.

Leeds came out after half-time knowing the next goal would be crucial – and unfortunately for them it went to Southampton. Connolly played a one-two with Lallana, flicking the ball into the midfielder’s path and collecting the return before sliding it past Lonergan.

Leeds should have grabbed a lifeline on the hour mark when Billy Paynter found himself through on goal but Davis managed to get a hand on the striker’s shot.

Gradel then had a tantrum in the area when his penalty claim was waved away after he was challenged by Jack Cork.

It could have got even worse for the visitors but Aaron Martin headed a good chance into the ground and over the bar and Richard Chaplow crashed a shot against a post.

Leeds grabbed their consolation when Martin handled and Gradel took his frustration out on the ball, crashing the penalty home.

Southampton: Davis, Richardson, Fonte, Martin, Harding, Do Prado (Chaplow 63), Hammond (Schneiderlin 75), Cork, Lallana, Connolly (De Ridder 62), Lambert. Unused substitutes: Bialkowski,Butterfield.

Leeds United: Lonergan,Connolly,Kisnorbo,O’Brien,O’Dea, Snodgrass (Sam 73),Brown (Paynter 53),Clayton,Howson,Gradel, McCormack (Nunez 62). Unused substitutes: Rachubka,Bromby.

Referee: K Wright (Cambridgeshire).

Man of the match: Adam Lallana.