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Southampton 8 - Sunderland 0: Saints thrash Black Cats in eight-goal thriller
SOUTHAMPTON pummeled Sunderland in an eight-goal thriller that saw Gus Poyet's Black Cats utterly humiliated at St Mary's.
Sunderland's afternoon got off to a terrible start after Santiago Vergini's bizarre shot found its way into the back of his own net to challenge for own-goal of the season.
Player of the Month Graziano Pelle's golden week continued as he doubled Southampton's tally six minutes later.
Jack Cork netted his third goal of the season just before half-time.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first as Liam Bridcutt fumbled Pelle's shot into the back of the net to give Saints their fourth of the afternoon.
Pelle added his name to the score sheet for the second time in the 68th minute as his right-footed shot thundered into the bottom left corner.
Dusan Tadic, who provided three assists to Southampton's goals, netted one of his own after Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone's mistimed pass found its way to the Serbian who hammered home to give Ronald Koeman's boys their sixth of the day.
Victor Wanyama and new-boy Sadio Mane joined the party as their strikes finished the demolition of Sunderland ten minutes from time.
Southampton's emphatic display ensured Koeman's men remain third in the Premier League table.