(Reuters) – Leicester City recorded the biggest ever English top-flight away win by beating 10-man Southampton 9-0 at a rain-sodden St Mary’s to move up to second place in the Premier League yesterday.
The biggest margin of victory on the road previously was eight goals, a joint record held by three clubs.
It was also the first time a team had scored nine away goals in the Premier League and equalled Manchester United’s record 9-0 Premier League win achieved at home to Ipswich Town in 1995.
The 2016 champions Leicester moved to 20 points from 10 games, their best start to a Premier League campaign, that leaves them five points behind leaders Liverpool and a point ahead of Manchester City, who both have a game in hand.
Hat-tricks from Ayoze Perez and Jamie Vardy plus goals by Youri Tielemans, Ben Chilwell and James Maddison inflicted Southampton’s biggest home defeat in their 133-year history.
“I’m very proud of the team,” said Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers. “To finish with nine (goals) was a remarkable effort away from home.
“We said at halftime… keep your tactical discipline, keep your speed in the game and we have to punish them. We have to do our job and score as many goals as we can and also keep a clean sheet.”
Saints lost Ryan Bertrand to an early red card and were shambolic in defence as they slipped into the relegation zone on goal difference after taking one home point this season.
Southampton’s heaviest Premier League defeat had been a 7-1 reverse to Liverpool 20 years ago, another unwanted record for their under pressure manager Ralph Hasenhuettl.
“It was an embarrassing performance, the stuff of nightmares and especially playing at home,” said Saints’ forward Nathan Redmond.
“It just wasn’t good enough and one of the poorest performances since I’ve been at the club and we’ll have to debrief that whole game from start to finish tomorrow.”