Southampton recorded their second win of the season as they hammered Newcastle United 4-0 at St Mary's Stadium this afternoon.
Graziano Pelle scored twice in the opening 20 minutes of the game, while Jack Cork and Morgan Schneiderlin added goals three and four in the second half to seal Ronald Koeman's side's triumph.
Here, Sports Mole rates the individual performances from the clash on the South Coast.
SOUTHAMPTON
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Goal
Fraser Forster: Wasn't called on to do too much this afternoon, but did make three solid stops to deny Moussa Sissoko, Jack Colback and Yoan Gouffran, showing solid handling skills. Distribution was poor at times. (7/10)
Defence
Nathaniel Clyne: The majority of the Newcastle threats down his side of the pitch and he occasionally let Haidara cross without pressure. On another day that could have cost his side, but the delivery didn't cause problems in the box. Was a willing ball carrier upfield and offered an outlet. (6/10)
Jose Fonte: A strong performance from the centre-back as he didn't allow Emmanuel Riviere any space to threaten in the final third of the pitch. He was strong in the air and his passing was accurate. (7/10)
Toby Alderweireld: Good debut from the Belgium international as he coped with the movement and pace of Gouffran. Was strong in the challenges he made and looked to be very comfortable on the ball. (7/10)
Ryan Bertrand: Offered an excellent attacking threat throughout the 90 minutes as he was allowed to raid forward unchecked by Remy Cabella. His cross for Pelle's first goal was pinpoint and he was sound defensively against the Frenchman. A solid outing from the 25-year-old. (7/10)
Midfield
Steven Davis: Good performance from the central midfielder as he helped his side control the middle of the park. Southampton weren't always dominant in possession, but he along with Cork and Schneiderlin stopped the Magpies from penetrating central areas. When he did pass the ball, it was incisive and threatening to the Newcastle backline. (7/10)
Jack Cork: An excellent display from the 25-year-old. He was integral in the protection of his back four as he helped keep the Magpies away from possession. Was alert to his side's threat on the counter-attack and released the ball quickly and accurately. Showed great instincts in front of goal to net his side's third as he beat Williamson and rounded Krul. (7/10)
Morgan Schneiderlin: Not one of his more influential games, but still managed to get on the scoresheet with a brilliant goal in stoppage time. Was more of disruptive influence than an attacking threat in the 90 minutes as he provided a solid base in the midfield. (7/10)
Attack
Shane Long: Started the game well as he was unlucky not to score when he chased down a backpass and blocked Krul's clearance. Showed great energy in his time on the field, but was substituted with a head injury at half time. (6/10)
Dusan Tadic: A great display from the Serbia international as he was a thorn in the side of the Magpies all afternoon. He linked up well with Pelle and played a lovely pass to the striker for his second goal. His delivery from the left wing always caused problems and always seemed to be in a dangerous area of the pitch. (7/10)
Graziano Pelle: The Italian was outstanding all afternoon for Koeman's side. He deserved his two goals and perhaps could have scored more. He led the line well and was the focal point for all of his side's attacks, as Newcastle couldn't get a grip on his physical play to stop him. (8/10)
Substitutes
Victor Wanyama: Brought on to replace Long at half time and didn't really have a huge effect on the game. He was deployed in a deeper role and was assigned to break up potential Newcastle threats and release the ball for his side on the counter. He did a decent job in that position. (6/10)
James Ward-Prowse: Showed glimpses of his ability as he replaced Tadic after 67 minutes. His deliveries from set pieces were threatening and he displayed good distribution in the middle of the park to help his side see out the victory. (6/10)
Florin Gardos: The defender arrived late on the pitch to replace Cork and helped his side see out the victory. (6/10)
NEWCASTLE
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Goal
Tim Krul: Was lucky not to give away a goal in the first 30 seconds of the match as his clearance hit Long and went wide. Could have given away a penalty when he felled the forward in the penalty area, but got lucky with the decision. Could not be blamed for any of his side's goals as he was let down by his defenders. (5/10)
Defence
Daryl Janmaat: Struggled down the right but he wasn't helped out at all by Cabella as Tadic and Bertrand teamed to cause havoc in the early stages of the game. Managed to get to grips with his flank as the match wore on, and offered an outlet going forward. (6/10)
Mike Williamson: A very poor game from the centre-back as he didn't get hold of Pelle all afternoon. His poor clearing header led to the second goal for the Saints, and he was beaten to the ball by Cork for the third. An performance he will want to forget quickly. (3/10)
Fabricio Coloccini: The Magpies skipper also struggled with Pelle and the movement of the Southampton front three. His poor backpass to Krul set the tone for the game when Long nearly blocked the keeper's attempted clearance. He also got beaten at the back post by Pelle for the home side's first goal. The 32-year-old never looked comfortable. (4/10)
Massadio Haidara: Probably Newcastle's best player this afternoon as he raided forward frequently. Created his side's best chance when his cross was turned into Sissoko's path. Unfortunately for him, the midfielder failed to finish from close range. Defensively he didn't seem to be troubled as the majority of the Southampton threat seemed to be focused down the Newcastle right. (7/10)
Midfield
Jack Colback: Showed neat touches but was outbattled in midfield and at times lost possession in dangerous areas of the field. His distribution was tidy but lacked any penetration moving forward, but he did have one good effort that was saved by Forster. (5/10)
Vurnon Anita: Looked completely off the pace in the first half as he struggled to get to grips with the power and pace of the Southampton midfield. His positioning and distribution was poor and was he duly replaced by Chieck Tiote at half time. (4/10)
Moussa Sissoko: Should have scored for his side to make the score 2-1 in the first half, but blasted his effort at Forster. That may have had an impact on the game. Was one of the few Newcastle players to show energy and a willingness to battle in the second half. (6/10)
Remy Cabella: An extremely poor outing from the Frenchman as the £12m man does not look up to speed in the Premier League just yet. He was poor in possession and showed no desire to help out Janmaat at the back when Bertrand raided forward. (3/10)
Yoan Gouffran: Had his moments with the ball at his feet, but those were few and far between as Newcastle failed to get him involved in the game. (4/10)
Attack
Emmanuel Riviere: Missed an absolute sitter in the second half, but the game looked out of reach by that point anyway. Didn't offer his side anything up front as he failed to hold the ball or make any runs in behind the Southampton backline to free up space. (4/10)
Substitutes
Cheick Tiote: The midfielder was introduced at the break to try to induce some energy into his side, but he failed to get up to the pace of the game in his first outing of the season. (5/10)
Ayoze Perez: Came on to replace Cabella in the 69th minute, but couldn't provide anything during his time on the pitch to get his side a consolation goal. (6/10)
Sammy Ameobi: Arrived late in the game and was on the pitch to see Schneiderlin add a fourth goal for the home side. (6/10)
Simon Sinclair
