Goals from Morgan Schneiderlin, Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez gave Southampton a deserved 3-1 victory over Liverpool in this afternoon's Premier League clash.
© PA Photos
The Saints started the first half brightly, threatening through Gaston Ramirez before going in front with just five minutes on the clock.
Ramirez's cross was nodded down by Rodriguez for Schneiderlin to poke the ball past Brad Jones in the Liverpool goal and make it 1-0.
Southampton should have been 2-0 to the good in the 10th minute when Lambert found himself clean through on goal, only to direct his effort straight at Jones.
The hosts' dominance continued, with further chances falling to Ramirez and Rodriguez, but it took them until the 32nd minute to grab their second goal.
Martin Skrtel brought down Lambert in the danger zone and the Saints striker took the resultant free kick himself, finding the back of the net with the help of a wicked deflection off Daniel Sturridge.
Liverpool pulled a goal back against the run of play right on the stroke of half time through Philippe Coutinho to give themselves a fighting chance in the second period.
The Reds were more lively after the restart, threatening in the 54th minute through Sturridge, who dragged a shot wide after latching onto Steven Gerrard's cross.
However, their hopes of a fightback were quashed in the 79th minute thanks to a fine solo effort by Rodriguez.
The forward gained possession inside his own half and capitalised on some lax Liverpool defending to get a shot in on goal. His initial effort was parried by Jones, but he made no mistake at the second time of asking to make it 3-1 to the Saints.
Mark Langshaw
