Toby Alderweireld insists Saints must not get carried away following their 8-0 thrashing of Sunderland.

The 25-year-old is currently on loan at St Mary's from reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid and is now an integral part of the most miserly defence in English football.

It was in attack where Saints made the headlines yesterday as they dished out a mauling to a Sunderland side who were simply blown away by the forward players on show for the hosts.

The Black Cats did little to help their own cause as Santiago Vergini hammered in an own goal that will live long in the memory to put Saints on their way to their biggest ever top flight win.

The September Premier League Player of the month, Graziano Pelle, continued his impressive start to the campaign by tapping in a second before Jack Cork added a third before half-time.

A second own goal from sub Liam Bridcutt made it four, then Pelle completed a brace before Dusan Tadic, Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane also got on the scoresheet.

Sunderland were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty at 2-0 when keeper Fraser Forster came off his line and appeared to bring down Steven Fletcher - although referee Andre Marriner was unmoved.

The rout means Saints hold on to third spot in the Barclays Premier League table with manager of the month Ronald Koeman continuing his impressive start to life in English football.

Stoke are the next visitors to St Mary's next weekend but Alderweireld, who lifted the Primera Division title with Atletico last season, knows the players need to remain grounded as they look to build on such a memorable result.

“Of course we can be very satisfied with the result," he said.

“The second half was much better than the first but we have to keep calm. It is only three points and next week will be tough.

“We can be happy but from tomorrow we have to be focused on Saturday because it is a big day again. It can change very quickly in the Premier League.”

The start to the season has seen Koeman and his players defy the odds after it was suggested they would struggle having lost the likes of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers over the summer.

But in players like Alderweireld, as well as Pelle and Tadic who both impressed once again yesterday, Koeman has remodelled his squad into a side who look capable of continuing such form.

Mauricio Pochettino led Saints to a joint best-ever eighth place Premier League finish last season before departing for Tottenham, but Alderweireld feels that can be beaten this year.

“I think better than last season," the Belgium international answered when asked what Southampton should aim for this campaign.

“If we can make that step and finish in a better position that last season we can be happy.

“I knew a lot of players that Koeman brought and knew we had a good team.

“I signed here for a year to play good football and play with good players.”