Sunderland put on a five-star show as they hammered Southampton at the Stadium of Light. Here's how the players rated:

6 Patterson: Protected superbly by the players in front but did his job when needed.

8 Hume: Set Sunderland on their way with brilliant early assist. Solid defensively and got involved going forward at every opportunity.

8 O’Nien: Limited a high quality Southampton attack to just two shots on target. Fine way to mark new deal.

7 Ballard: Dominated the Southampton attack. Recovered from injury scare early in second half. 

7 Cirkin: Disciplined defensive show on what had the makings of being a very tough afternoon. Linked up well with Clarke. Missed chance late in first half but it didn’t matter.

7 Neil: Mature midfield performance that allowed Ekwah to shine alongside him.

9 Ekwah: Immense. Absolutely bossed the game. Two goals. A class act who will be a massive player for Sunderland this season.

8 Ba: His best display in a Sunderland shirt. Fearless and had a hand in three of the goals. Hopefully will build on this performance.

7 Dack: Helped Sunderland tick in the first half with clever link-up play. Got his goal early in the second.

8 Clarke: Set Sunderland on their way and had home side on front foot with direct running at Southampton defence. Terrified the visitors.

7 Bellingham: He’s not a natural centre-forward but that didn’t show. Classy show full of clever movement and smart touches.

Substitutes:

6 Hemir (for Bellingham, 63): Missed glorious late chance but put himself about.

7 Pritchard (for Dack, 63): Linked up play nicely.

Rigg (for Ba, 81)

Bennette (for Clarke, 81)

Subs not used: Bishop, Huggins, Taylor, Seelt, Triantis

Southampton: Bazunu 5, Walker-Peters 5, Bednarek 5, Holgate 4 (Charles, 63), Manning 5, Smallbone (Alcaraz, 82) 6, Downes 5, S.Armstrong 5 (Adams, 46), Mara 5 (Aribo, 72), Edozie 5 (Fraser, 46), A.Armstrong 5

Subs not used: McCarthy, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Amo-Amey

Man of the Match: Pierre Ekwah. What a player Sunderland have on their hands. Was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch.