Rodgers hails "perfect performance" after Leicester stun Saints

Embarrassed Saints played for 78 minutes a man light after Ryan Bertrand became the first top-flight player to be shown a red card following a VAR review after his dangerous challenge on Perez in the build-up to Chilwell's early opener.

"It was the perfect performance. From the very first whistle in the game we showed our intent," said Rodgers.

"I'm so pleased with the performance, it had everything you could want.

"We went in front, deservedly so. And then when Ryan got sent off, we showed a wonderful demonstration of how to play against 10 men.

"The players made it look a lot easier than it actually is.

"All round collectively it was an absolutely outstanding night and brilliant for the supporters to travel all the way down here on a wet night.

"To see the team score nine goals and be very focused, hopefully they will be very proud.

"It's a brilliant win that equals records."

The sensational scoreline inflicted a record defeat on the desperate hosts.

Perez and Vardy, meanwhile, became only the second set of team-mates to score trebles in a Premier League after Jermaine Pennant and Robert Pires managed it against Saints for Arsenal in May 2003.

They each left the stadium clutching a match ball.

After being five goals up at the break, Rodgers was thrilled to see his players maintain their ruthless display in the second 45 minutes.

"The message at half-time when it was 5-0 was to see it as 0-0 and go out and show we're a really, really good side by pushing and showing a hungry mentality," he said.

"To go out and do what we did and show that ruthless streak, it shows we're making steps to being a ruthless side."