ARMANDO Broja’s first Premier League goal fired dominant Saints to victory over Leeds United.

Saints, without a league win all season prior to this contest, were in control for the majority of the match against a lacklustre Leeds.

And the breakthrough finally came eight minutes into the second half as Broja converted a ruthless counter-attack from the hosts, after good work by Nathan Redmond.

Ralph Hasenhuttl shuffled his pack following the 3-1 loss at Chelsea before the international break.

There were five changes in all.

James Ward-Prowse’s staggering run of 102 consecutive Premier League outings since December 2018 came to an enforced end, as he began a three-match ban after being sent off at Stamford Bridge last time out.

In came Ibrahima Diallo for his first league start of the season, while Broja started a Premier League game for the first time in his career. Romain Perraud, Moi Elyounoussi and Moussa Djenepo were all recalled with Kyle Walker-Peters, Nathan Tella and Adam Armstrong dropping to the bench.

Che Adams missed out on the squad due to a muscle injury picked up on international duty with Scotland.

Leeds were without key trio Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford and Raphinha.

Chances were at a premium during the early stages, before Saints began to assert their authority.

Redmond was looking lively in attack, with his set pieces also causing problems. His corner to the near post was met by Broja, who glanced a header wide, before Redmond shot himself from 20 yards, with goalkeeper Illan Meslier getting down well to save.

Broja then connected with another Redmond corner, with Saints going even closer to taking the lead. The Albanian frontman got to it again, with Elyounoussi unable to get quite enough on his diving header at the back post.

Chelsea loanee Broja was proving a handful to the Leeds defence, showing good footwork to get into the box after a slip by Pascal Struijk, but his low left-footed shot was well saved by Meslier.

Leeds were struggling to even get out their own half at times, but did at least make it to the break still goalless, finally registering their first shot in the 44th minute, Tyler Roberts firing over.

But Saints did get the goal their dominance deserved early in the second half.

After Diallo won the ball on the edge of his own box, he picked out Djenepo to set Saints on their way to a rapid counter-attack. He sent Redmond scampering clear down the left, the former Norwich man picking the perfect moment to tee up Broja to slam high into the net.

Saints then introduced Stuart Armstrong for his first appearance of the season, and very nearly doubled their tally with Elyounoussi curling agonisingly wide.

Leeds were almost gifted a way back into the contest with their clearest chance of the afternoon. A bouncing ball deceived Mohammed Salisu, allowing Dan James to nip in. But the former Manchester United man curled wide when one-on-one with ex-Leeds loanee keeper Alex McCarthy.

Both managers turned to their benches for the final five minutes. Broja was given a standing ovation as he was replaced by Theo Walcott, while young Dutchman Crysencio Summerville came on for Leeds.

But the visitors could not threaten McCarthy’s goal as Saints held on for victory.

The win lifts Saints up to 15th in the Premier League table, four points clear of the relegation zone having played eight matches.

Saints: McCarthy; Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Perraud; Romeu, Diallo; Elyounoussi (Tella, 90+5), Djenepo (S Armstrong, 59); Broja (Walcott, 81), Redmond.

Unused subs: Valery, Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Long, A Armstrong, Forster (g/k).

Booked: Bednarek, McCarthy.

Leeds: Meslier; Shackleton, Llorente, Cooper, Dallas; Klich (Gelhardt, 77), Struijk; Harrison, Roberts (Summerville, 81), James; Rodrigo (Forshaw, 64).

Unused subs: Cresswell, Hjelde, Drameh, McKinstry, Greenwood, Klaesson (g/k).

Booked: Roberts, Struijk, Llorente.

Referee: David Coote.

VAR: Lee Mason.

Attendance: 30,506.