Saints run riot in front of their new owners

SOUTHAMPTON’S new owners watched from the stands as the club registered their biggest Premier League win of the season by thrashing Brentford 4-1.

Goals from Jan Bednarek, Armando Broja and Che Adams, plus an own-goal from Bees goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez, secured a resounding victory in Saints’ first top-flight outing since last week’s takeover.

Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt briefly levelled proceedings with a fine first-half volley but the evening belonged to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s rampant hosts.

Southampton, who opted for an unfamiliar 3-5-2 wing-back system in the absence of a recognised right-back, made a perfect start inside five minutes.

Captain James Ward-Prowse delivered an inviting, in-swinging corner from the left and in-form defender Bednarek found space to glance home his third goal in five Premier League games.

Thomas Frank’s men looked set for a difficult evening but needed just 18 minutes to restore parity as Bryan Mbeumo and Janelt – two of four players recalled following the 2-1 win over Aston Villa on January 2 – combined to devastating effect.

That was to be the high point for the west London club and they fell behind for a second time in the 37th minute in unfortunate fashion. Ibrahima Diallo hit a fizzing shot from the edge of the box which struck the left post before rebounding into the net off the diving Fernandez, who was unable to deny the same player just four minutes after the restart as Saints broke away to stretch their advantage.

Substitute Adams – back following coronavirus – added further gloss to the scoreline by lifting the ball beyond Fernandez 20 minutes from time following Diallo’s hopeful punt forward.

Results