SAINTS overcome their depleted defence and produce biggest Premier League win of the season in an entertaining 4-1 rout of Brentford, at St Mary’s.

Vitaly Janelt pegged back Saints after their early Jan Bednarek opener, but Ibrahima Diallo forced an Alavaro Fernandez own goal before Armando Broja and Che Adams netted to cap a comfortable night under the lights.

The result marked the first time Saints had won by more than one goal in the league this campaign.

Ralph Hasenhuttl opted with a five-at-the-back to cover his right-back problem, with a defensive trio supported by Nathan Tella and Romain Perraud in wing-back roles.

Moi Elyounoussi is understood to have been ruled out with a positive COVID test in the match’s build-up, after his goalscoring substitute appearance at Swansea.

Sport Republic’s lead investor, Dragan Solak, present at a Saints game for the first time, did not have to wait long to see his new acquisition get off to a superb start.

James Ward-Prowse’s corner swung towards both Oriol Romeu and Bednarek at the front-post, with the Pole adding a deft touch to take it past Fernandes in net just five into the contest.

Broja’s low-cross could have gifted any alert Saints forward a chance to double the lead minutes later, making light work of his man and gliding the perfect ball across Brentford’s goalline.

But it was not connected with and it was instead the visitors who struck second. Janelt was allowed to arrive unmarked in the centre of the box and guide an expert left-footed volley beyond Fraser Forster to level.

The goalscorer then had another hit from range palmed to safety by Forster, before Romeu’s instinctive stab, after it had fallen inside the area, sailed over.

French youngster Diallo thought he’d gained the lead with a first Premier League goal. His first-time strike from outside the area nestled into the back of Fernandez’s goal, following another corner.

The vicious hit had instead cannoned off the post and onto the back of the Spaniard’s hand – although he did well to prevent a dangerous Broja header as the first-half ticked to a close.

But the Albanian was not to be denied again, racing through from Romeu’s pass just three minutes into the second period and finishing into the far corner despite a strong foot from Fernandez.

Brentford’s endeavours were summed up after taking an age to do a training ground routine with a deep free-kick, only for the second pass to be to an offside player.

Substitute Adams then marked his return to cleverly lurk on Bees’ defensive line and bring down a long ball over the top, lifting a tricky opportunity past the onrushing Fernandez to put Saints three ahead.

The St Mary’s support enjoyed what time remained, offering Broja a rousing ovation as he made way for Adam Armstrong and serving up an olay for the majority of Saints’ passing play.

Ward-Prowse’s brilliant late interception, preventing a certain goal at the back-post, on the arriving Yoane Wissa was just as well enjoyed as each of the Saints goals.

Saints: Forster; Tella (S Armstrong, 70), Lyanco, Bednarek, Salisu, Perraud; Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Diallo; Redmond (Adams, 63), Broja (A Armstrong, 78)

Unused subs: Stephens, Simeu, Small, Chauke, Long, Caballero (g/k)

Brentford: Fernandez; Roerslev, Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock (Jensen, 68), Canos (Stevens, 75); Baptiste (Wissa, 56), Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Toney

Unused subs: Thompson, Forss, Ghoddos, Bidstrup, Bach Sorensen, Lossl (g/k)

Booked: Toney

Referee: Stuart Attwell