Southampton make it nine goals scored in four days as they defeat Swansea 3-1 at St Mary's

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Having hit MK Dons for a record equalling six in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night, Saints backed it up an impressive 3-1 demolition of Swansea in the Premier League at St Mary’s.

Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic did the damage as Saints picked up three points that lifted them into the top half of the table ahead of next weekend’s trip to Chelsea.

Gyfli Sigurdsson pulled one back for Swansea from the penalty spot late on.

Saints started the game brightly.

They knew Swansea were likely to sit fairly deep, be well organised and would try to frustrate Saints by keeping the ball.

However, Saints tried to counter that by pressing high and giving their opponents no time on the ball and it was definitely unsettling the Swans.

Sadio Mane was the first to try his luck with a curling shot from 20 yards that went over the bar.

It was Maarten Stekelenburg who had the first save to make though as on six minutes Jonjo Shelvey drive a fierce shot from 25 yards goalwards. The Saints stopper parried it away to Ki Sung-Yueng but he couldn’t control the rebound and sliced well over.

Mane went agonisingly close two minutes later as Victor Wanyama won the ball and charged down the right. He squared inside to Pelle, who then found Mane in the area but his shot on the turn went just inches wide of the far post.

It didn’t take long until Saints got the breakthrough though.

They won a left wing corner on 11 minutes which was whipped in by James Ward-Prowse. Virgil van Dijk made a darting run to the near post and flicked in a header from a few yards out.

Stekelenburg was in action again on 22 minutes, this time Ki with the low drive from 20 yards. The Saints keeper got down to his right and managed to get enough on it to divert it away.

Gylfi Sigurdsson hit a free kick from a similar distance in a central position that might have threatened had it not flicked off the top of the Saints wall.

As the half wore on it was Swansea who were enjoying more of the ball.

Saints had let their initial intensity drop just slightly and it was enough to allow the Swans to get a foothold in the game, even if they were not creating much.

On the flipside it was Saints who looked the more threatening on the break.

Mane tried another effort from long range which was well struck but straight down the middle and an easy save for Lukasz Fabianski.

When the half time whistle blew it was Saints who boasted a one goal advantage but with still all to play for in the second period.

Swansea made a double change at the break to try and change the direction of the game with Eder and Jefferson Montero coming on for Bafetimbi Gomis and former Saints man Jack Cork.

Saints again started on the front foot, James Ward-Prowse heading wide from a left wing cross in the opening stages of the second half.

And, just like the first half, they got the goal while they were on top.

It owed much to persistence and a little bit of luck too.

Dusan Tadic ran on to a lofted pass coming in off the left wing and shoed strength and power to bustle through.

He looked as though he was trying to square the ball across the face of the area from a tight angle near the left by-line, but Ki slid in to try and prevent it.

The ball deflected off the Swansea player’s leg up and past Fabianski to double Saints’ advantage.

It was 3-0 and virtually game over on 61 minutes.

Again it came from down the left.

Ryan Bertrand had pressed on from left back and squared to Graziano Pelle.

His first time right footed shot in the area was blocked by Ashley Williams but straight to Mane 12 yards out. He took one touch to control and a second to drill a low right footed shot into the bottom corner.

Saints responded by making their first change with Oriol Romeu replacing Steven Davis.

Van Dijk almost caught out Fabianski with a free kick from just outside the area on 68 minutes but the Swansea keeper just managed to get down to save.

There was still a surprising amount of life in the game despite the scoreline.

Shelvey’s powerful shot needed a good block in the area while Romeu’s header at the other end was fielding by Fabianski.

Saints made a second switch on 74 minutes with Jay Rodriguez coming on for Tadic before Leon Britton replaced Shelvey for Swansea.

It was not to be the perfect day for Saints as Swansea were awarded a penalty late on.

Jose Fonte’s sliding challenge felled Neil Taylor in the box and referee Roger East pointed to the spot.

Sigurdsson hit the spot kick down the middle to make it 3-1 with seven minutes remaining.

Juanmi came on for Mane as Saints looked to ensure they held on to what they had.

Swansea had half a chance to make it interesting as Andre Ayew was picked out in the box but his header towards goal was fielded by Stekelenburg.

Pelle almost rounded things off in style as he met Juanmi’s cut back from the left by-line but he fired over.

However, it didn’t matter as Saints had already done plenty enough to secure another good win.