MOI Elyounoussi bagged a hat-trick as rampant Saints showed their gulf in class to cruise into the third round of the Carabao Cup with an 8-0 demolition job of League Two Newport County.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s much-changed Premier League outfit looked in control from start to finish, with Elyounoussi leading the way with his treble, added to by a brace by Armando Broja.

Kyle Walker-Peters, Nathan Tella and Nathan Redmond were also on target in the rout, as Saints secured the biggest away win in the club's 136-year history.

Hasenhuttl rang the changes following Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United. The only two players who kept their spots were Jack Stephens and James Ward-Prowse.

Broja was brought in for his debut up front, while there were also starts for Elyounoussi and Yan Valery, following their loan spells away last season. Fraser Forster began in goal, with Walker-Peters also back in the XI, with Alex McCarthy and Tino Livramento among a host of players given the night off.

Newport were without boss Michael Flynn, as he continued a period of self-isolation having tested positive for COVID-19. Assistant manager Wayne Hatswell again took charge.

Newport have developed a reputation as cup giant-killers in recent seasons, with scalps over the likes of Leeds United, Leicester City and Watford.

But Saints quickly set about avoiding their name joining that list at Rodney Parade. Elyounoussi let fly early on, only to be denied by goalkeeper Nick Townsend.

Stephens had to be alert at the other end to head away a dangerous Newport cross, before the deadlock was broken after nine minutes.

Townsend brilliantly tipped a Nathan Redmond strike onto the crossbar, but Broja was on hand to turn home the rebound and mark his first Saints appearance in style.

Saints were looking rampant on the counter with Redmond wasting a good chance to double the tally, before he played the role of provider again midway through the half.

In a swift break, the 27-year-old spun the ball out to Elyounoussi, whose perfectly-weighted pass was threaded through for Tella.

He bore down on goal before confidently whipping a shot in at the near post, sending Townsend the wrong way with his dive.

Ibrahima Diallo and Redmond both went close to extending the lead, but there was just enough time for Saints to go 3-0 up by half-time.

Redmond collected the ball on the right before picking out a marauding Walker-Peters breaking down the left flank. He cut inside onto his favoured right-foot, before arrowing a low strike into the bottom corner. It was the defender’s first competitive goal since joining Saints from Tottenham last year.

And there was no let-up after the restart. Townsend got a touch on Broja’s strike just a couple of minutes in the half, but Elyounoussi was alert to turn home the rebound under pressure from Priestley Farquharson. It was the first time the Norway international had netted for Saints, more than three years after first joining the club, and having spent the past two seasons out on loan at Celtic.

And having waited until his 20th appearance for the club to break his duck, Elyounoussi had his second of the night just eight minutes later, running onto a Ward-Prowse through ball before confidently slotting in.

Seconds later it was 6-0. Elyounoussi was enjoying a productive night, this time turning provider to pick out Broja for his second of the night.

Hasenhuttl changed his strike-force with 25 minutes to play, introducing both Michael Obafemi and Shane Long.

And a seventh goal quickly followed. Ward-Prowse fired a ball in to Redmond on the edge of the box, who smashed into the bottom corner.

Newport had a rare foray forwards as the game headed towards its final 10 minutes. Half-time substitute Kevin Ellison found space in the box, but the 42-year-old could not convert.

But it was Saints who would add an eighth goal at the death, Elyounoussi wrapping up his hat-trick.

Saints: Forster; Valery, Stephens, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Diallo, Ward-Prowse (Walcott, 70); Elyounoussi, Redmond; Tella (Obafemi, 65), Broja (Long, 65).

Unused subs: Salisu, Perraud, Romeu, H Lewis (g/k).

Booked: Diallo.

Newport: Townsend, Hall, Farquharson, Dolan (Upson, h-t), Clarke, A Lewis, Missilou, Bennett (Greenidge, 65), Azaz (Ellison, h-t), Willmott, Abraham.

Unused subs: Haynes, Collins, Hylton, Day (g/k).

Booked: Townsend.

Referee: Darren Drysdale.