SAINTS recorded their biggest win of the season and made it five home victories in a row with a 4-0 battering of Blackburn Rovers.

The visitors went down to 10 men after Sam Edozie had opened, with Stuart Armstrong, Sekou Mara and Charly Alcaraz completing the rout.

Russell Martin's side made ground on Leeds United and Ipswich Town ahead of them with both sides only managing a draw in their fixtures.

Here is how we rated the Saints players...

Gavin Bazunu - 7. 

Spilled a testing Szmodics free-kick but reacted quickly and smothered the danger. Comfortable afternoon's work for him with only a few tame efforts to save otherwise. 

Kyle Walker-Peters - 8. 

Switched to the left of defence early in the game but did not affect his performance. Controlled the speed of defence to attack, picking off balls and driving. Very good.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 8. 

Booed by the fans of his former loan side ahead of kick-off but helped limit them to few chances. Was applying pressure to the cross for Edozie's opener. 

Jan Bednarek - 8.

Excellent numbers in the first half in both possession and against the ball. Played the full 90 minutes and helped to record another clean sheet. Has become Mr. Reliable.

James Bree - 9.

First to test Blackburn goalkeeper and was most creative force in early moments. Standout player in first half, capped by the corner delivery for the opener. Quieter after the break but didn't need to be noisy. 

Flynn Downes - 8.

Gave away a free-kick in a really dangerous area and was booked later for an exaggerated penalty appeal. Drove into the box to set up Armstrong's goal and Southampton's second. Was a welcomed return in the midfield.

Will Smallbone - 8.

Took up a good position in the area during the first half but his close-range volley goalwards was comfortably saved. Comfortable all game and his strike was followed by Alcaraz for the fourth goal.

Joe Aribo - 8.

Potentially his tidiest performance yet. Did not look out of place and made the full 90 minutes, could keep his place next time out.

Stuart Armstrong - 9.

Operating as a false nine on starting position but Smallbone and Aribo rotated. Had a decent penalty shout just before half-time not given and a great curling effort saved after the break. Got his goal after Blackburn went down to 10. Named MOTM.

Adam Armstrong - 7.

Nearly rewarded with a goal for an aggressive press on the keeper but it went behind for a corner. Quieter afternoon but has been a regular talisman for Saints over the last two months. 

Sam Edozie - 9.

Making runs in behind and looked to stretch Blackburn throughout, later rewarded for his endeavour with a rare corner goal. Did well to react quickly to the ball in. Another top performance and will stay in the team.

Substitutes 

Ryan Fraser - 7. 

Immediately looked to make things happen and fired one dangerous ball into the six yard box. Great cross in for Mara's goal to wrap things up. 

Shea Charles - 7. 

Nothing too noticeable but came into a team controlling the game. Did nothing wrong at the end of a three-game week.

Jack Stephens - 7. 

First appearance since injury against QPR in August. Opposition had no chance to shout about after he came on on the 66th minute but Saints were already in control.

Sekou Mara - 9.

Had a good chance to open his Championship account but was well smothered by Wahlstedt in goal. Won the penalty after some great footwork in the area and finished Fraser's ball in for his first of the Championship campaign. 

Charly Alcaraz - 7. 

Lost his footing and therefore possession with his first touch but battled hard to get it back soon after with his second. Played Mara in one-on-one for a good chance. Chipped a terrible penalty over but followed up to make up for it with the last kick of the game.