LONDON – High-flying Southampton thrashed Sunderland 8-0 in the Premier League on Saturday as unbeaten leaders Chelsea remained five points clear with a 2-1 win away to Crystal Palace.
Arsenal needed a stoppage time to seal a 2-2 draw with Hull City.
Everton climbed up the table with a 3-0 win at home to Aston Villa and, at the bottom, Newcastle United won for the first time in the Premier League this season, beating Leicester City 1-0, but struggling Burnley remained winless after a 3-1 loss to visitors West Ham United.
At St Mary’s, Southampton were 3-0 up at half-time, the goal rush starting when Sunderland’s Santiago Vergini put through his own net when he volleyed in an attempted clearance in the 12th minute.
Graziano Pelle made it 2-0 six minutes later and there was more misery for Sunderland fans when Jack Cork turned in from close range.
The goals kept coming in the second half, Liam Bridcutt diverting Pelle’s shot into his own net for a second own goal of the match before Pelle, Dusan Tadic, Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane piled on the agony for Sunderland as Southampton recorded the biggest top-flight victory in their history.
At Selhurst Park, Oscar’s brilliant 30-yard free-kick gave Chelsea a sixth-minute lead, but five minutes before the break, Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta was shown a red card for diving in two-footed on Australia skipper Mile Jedinak.
However, there was still time in the first half for Palace to also be reduced to 10 men, with Damien Delaney dismissed for a second bookable offence after hauling back Loic Remy.
Chelsea doubled their lead in the 51st minute when Cesc Fabregas rounded off a neat move before Palace pulled a goal back in the last minute of normal time through Fraizer Campbell.
