An early goal from Jay Rodriguez and a second from Dejan Lovren have put Southampton on course for victory against struggling Sunderland away from home in the Premier League.

Southampton's Jay Rodriguez celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Sunderland during their Premier League match on January 18, 2014 © Getty Images

Rodriguez's opener came after just four minutes when the hosts failed to clear the ball and the England international unleashed a fizzing shot from 25 yards that was too good for Vito Mannone in the Wearsiders' goal.

Gus Poyet's side failed to settle into the game as Mauricio Pochettino's men pressed for a second goal and almost scored. Rodriguez got on to the end of a cross, but saw his shot blocked by the scrambling Sunderland defence.

With the Black Cats firmly on the back foot, Ricky Lambert went close to increasing the visitors' advantage when, after a neat one-two with Morgan Schneiderlin, the England forward flashed an effort narrowly past Mannone's post.

Southampton's Dejan Lovren scores his team's second goal against Sunderland during their Premier League match on January 18, 2014 © Getty Images

Southampton doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark when Lovren was allowed to meet a corner and direct his volley past Mannone to a chorus of boos from the home crowd at the Stadium of Light.

Despite Sunderland's shaky first-half performance, they were allowed a way back into the game when Liverpool loanee Fabio Borini latched onto Adam Johnson's cross before turning the ball past Artur Boruc.

It was a rare bright moment in a first half where Wearsiders' defenders saw far more of the action than their manager would like.

Sunderland started the game second from the foot of the Premier League table.