CHE Adams bagged a brilliant brace as Saints showed their Premier League class to sweep aside Cardiff City 4-0 in south Wales.

The Scotland striker showed his composure in front of goal twice in the second half, adding to earlier goals from Theo Walcott and Moussa Djenepo as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men eased to victory in this pre-season friendly.

It could have been more for Saints, who showed they are warming up nicely for the Premier League campaign, which is now less than three weeks away.

Hasenhuttl handed starts to summer signing Romain Perraud and also Moi Elyounoussi, who has returned to the club following two seasons out on loan at Celtic.

James Ward-Prowse and Stuart Armstrong were absent from the matchday squad as they nurse minor injuries, with Oriol Romeu taking the captain’s armband.

Saints, who drew 1-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Fulham at Staplewood at the weekend, dominated possession early on against their Championship opponents, without looking like breaking the deadlock.

They did have the first shot in anger when Ibrahima Diallo won the ball in midfield and set Michael Obafemi charging away. The striker let fly, but his effort was blocked, making it easy for goalkeeper Dillon Phillips to gather.

It took until 35 minutes for either stopper to be seriously worked, with Fraser Forster having to be alert to swat away a Joel Bagan strike, after he ran on to a Mark Harris pass in the box.

Moments later, Saints had taken the lead. Obafemi caught full-back Perry Ng dallying in possession and crossed low from the left for Walcott to tuck home. It takes Obafemi’s tally of assists this pre-season to two, having also teed up Shane Long to net against Fulham on Saturday.

Cardiff almost equalised straightaway. Mohammed Salisu, who had produced a commanding display at centre-back up to that point, lost the ball to Ryan Giles, whose low shot was well stopped by the foot of Forster as Saints took their narrow lead into the break.

Saints had the ball in the net again five minutes after the restart. After Yan Valery had been tripped, Walcott crossed the resulting free-kick into the box for Salisu to nod in, but the flag was raised for offside.

Forster had to be alert again to get down and tip away a Harris header, before Saints turned on the style.

Hasenhuttl made seven changes just past the hour mark and the fresh attacking impetus made an immediate impact.

Just after Nathan Tella had seen a shot blocked after being teed up by Adams, the ball was worked out to Djenepo on the left. The Mali international cut inside and bent a brilliant strike into the top corner to double Saints’ advantage.

Saints were looking to turn the screw with Shane Long denied by Phillips, before Nathan Redmond also curled just wide.

And a third goal duly arrived, in impressive fashion. After Diallo teed up Tella, he brilliantly slipped in Adams, to exquisitely dink a shot beyond the sliding Phillips.

Tella went close to adding a fourth with his shot saved after good work by Redmond.

But he turned provider again in the final few minutes, sending Adams through on goal and the forward stayed cool to skip around Phillips before tapping into the empty net.

Tella should have made if 5-0 with the final kick of the game, sliding a shot past the post.

Saints: Forster; Valery (Walker-Peters, 62), Stephens, Salisu (Bednarek, 62), Perraud (Djenepo, 62); Romeu, Diallo; Walcott (Tella, 62), Elyounoussi (Redmond, 62); Obafemi (Long, 62), Ings (Adams, 62).

Unused subs: Olufunwa, Finnigan, Lewis (g/k), McCarthy (g/k).

Booked: None.

Cardiff: Phillips, Ng (Davies, 70), McGuinness, Nelson, Brown, Bagan (Jones, 70), Bowen (Vaulks, 81), Pack (Ralls, 81), Trialist (Collins, 57), Harris (Murphy, 70), Giles (Tomlin, 70).

Unused subs: Flint, Zimba, Whyte, Connolly, D’Almeida, Denham, Smithies (g/k), Ratcliffe (g/k).

Booked: None.