NIGEL Adkins hailed his ruthless Saints side after they thumped Derby 4-0 to move back to the top of the table.

Jos Hooiveld got the ball rolling at St Mary’s with an early goal, before second-half strikes from Aaron Martin, Adam Lallana and Tadanari Lee completed the rout.

Adkins was thrilled with the quality of the performance, as well as the finishing.

“It was a good 4-0 victory and some good goals,” said the Saints boss. “The supporters got behind the players, everyone’s together as one.

“I think we’ve demonstrated we can score goals again today, resilient defensively. Derby had a little spell just before half-time and just after half-time, we weathered that okay, and we’ve scored some exceptionally good goals.

“Adam Lallana’s from open play, he’s broke the play up in our defensive third and we’ve had an interchange of passes and what a fantastic goal that was.

“Then you talk about Tadanari Lee’s goal – what a strike that was.”