Southampton Victor Wanyama
Victor Wanyama and Southampton unleashed eight goals Saturday versus Sunderland. Reuters

Though they are still behind Chelsea in terms of points, Southampton made a significant play for first place in Premier League with an 8-0 demolishing of Sunderland Saturday at St. Mary’s.

The Saints now hold a four-goal lead over the Blues with 27 on the season, thanks to forward Graziano Pelle’s brace, scores from forward Dusan Tadic, and midfielders Victor Wanyama, Jack Cork, and Sadio Mane. With the match well in hand in the 65th, Mane and Wanyama would pile the lead on.

Forcing one shot on goal of 12 total attempts, Sunderland did little to help their cause with own goals by defender Santiago Vergini in the 12th minute and Liam Bridcutt in the 63rd.

The Lads remain in 17th on the table, and were humiliated following their first victory of the season over Stoke before the break.

Pelle would have picked up a hat trick had Bridcutt not gotten in the way of his unmarked attempt in the middle of Sunderland’s area. Still, the Italian is now second only to Diego Costa with six goals this term.