Southampton beat Leeds after first-half goal flurry

Adam Armstrong chips the ball over Leeds Goalkeeper Illan Meslier for the opening goal

Southampton ended their dismal losing streak with three first-half goals against Leeds United at St Mary's.

The Southampton striker added another as he twisted and turned to unbalance Sam Byram and then shot for the far corner, with Pascal Struijk getting the final touch before it nestled in the corner.

Stunned Leeds were three down at the break as Kamaldeen Sulemana hit the byeline and calmly waited for Will Smallbone to arrive before delivering a cut-back which the midfielder neatly guided in off the far post.

Leeds, who went into the game on the back of a six-match unbeaten run, hit back as Struijk expertly plucked the ball out of the air and swivelled to fire home following a corner the Saints had failed to clear.

Leeds went into the meeting of two newly relegated clubs as favourites on the back of their contrasting form, but Daniel Farke's side could not get themselves started.

The early goal allowed confidence to surge back into the home side and they could easily have been out of sight by the break as Carlos Alcaraz's weak header at the far post was deflected over the bar, after more fine work by Walker-Peters down the right.

Leeds's dangerous attacking quartet were blunted as Byram sliced their best chance of the first half wide and Georginio Rutter's 20-yard drive was comfortably turned round the post by Gavin Bazunu in the Saints goal.

The Yorkshire outfit improved after the break but rarely threatened after Struijk's lifeline goal, with a wild slice from Daniel James the best of their efforts.