SAINTS produced a sensational first-half display as they ended a four-match losing run with a 3-1 victory over Leeds United on Saturday. 

Adam Armstrong put the hosts in front after just two minutes when he was played through by an exquisite pass by Kyle Walker-Peters, and he delicately lifted the ball into the corner.

Will Smallbone doubled the Southampton lead in 31 minutes as he was found by the lively Kamaldeen Sulemana, before caressing the ball beyond Illan Meslier.

The Saints crowd did not have to wait long until they were up on their feet again as Armstrong nudged in his seventh goal of the season.

Pascal Struijk brought the visitors back into it after half time with a poked finish but Saints were able to see the game out.

Manager Russell Martin made several changes to his side with Ryan Manning, Charly Alcaraz and Kamaldeen all handed starts.

The south coast side went into the game having won six of the last nine home league meetings with Leeds and they made the perfect start.

Walker-Peters' excellent through-ball released Armstrong who dinked the ball expertly over Meslier in just the second minute for his sixth goal of the season.

Leeds were struggling to deal with Southampton's fast start and for the first 10 minutes, they could not seem to get the ball out of their half due to the Saints high press.

Georginio Rutter was denied by a smart save by Gavin Bazunu when the visitors were able to put a good move together.

Just after the half-hour mark, Kamaldeen was found down the left-hand side and his cutback was calmly placed in off the post by Smallbone.

That led to rapturous celebrations from the Saints fans who had been unable to celebrate like this for several weeks.

And within four minutes, they were celebrating again. Sulemana's pass released Armstrong who twisted in the penalty area before squeezing a shot beyond Meslier.

Perhaps surprisingly Leeds boss Daniel Farke made no substitutions at halftime as he put his trust in the team that started the game.

The visitors pulled one goal back on 58 minutes when Struijk turned in the box and fired a shot into the bottom corner.

The Yorkshire side had begun to exert a lot of pressure at the start of the second half and the goal was deserved for how they had responded after the break.

The Saints manager swiftly turned to his bench bringing on Ryan Fraser for the impressive Kamaldeen as Saints tried to gain some control in the match again.

But it was Leeds who went close again after the hour mark as Daniel James fired a shot into the side netting which the away supporters celebrated, thinking that it crept inside the post.

Joel Piroe, who had been linked with Southampton in the summer before he joined Leeds, tested Bazunu with an effort from close range but the Irish goalkeeper comfortably gathered.

Saints still carried a threat though and Armstrong was keen to complete his hat trick but his left-footed shot from the edge of the area was held by Meslier.

A few minutes later, Armstrong was replaced and he received a warm round of applause from the St Mary's crowd who were clearly delighted with his performance.

Southampton managed to see the game out and Martin was quick to congratulate his players and the home faithful at the final whistle.

Saints: Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Manning; Downes, Smallbone (Charles, 69), Alcaraz (Adams, 69); Sulemana (Fraser, 59), S Armstrong (Bree, 85), A Armstrong (Aribo, 85).

Unused Subs: McCarthy, Holgate, Edozie, Mara.

Booked: A Armstrong, Smallbone, Bednarek, Charles.

Leeds United: Meslier; Shackleton, Struijk, Cooper, Byram; Ampadu, Kamara (Gray, 73); James (Bamford, 81), Piroe, Summerville (Anthony, 73); Rutter.

Unused Subs: Darlow, Ayling, Rodon, Gruev, Poveda-Ocampo, Gelhardt.

Booked: Kamara.

Referee: John Brooks.

Attendance: 30,372

Goals: 

1-0: A Armstrong 2'. Assist: Walker-Peters.

2-0: Smallbone 31'. Assist: Kamaldeen

3-0: A Armstrong 35'. Assist: Kamaldeen 

3-1: Struijk 58'.