Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has lauded his team after it thumped bottom-placed Southampton 5-0 in their latest English Premier League match.
The result prompted Southampton to sack its manager Russell Martin after the match, with the club describing the move as a "difficult decision".
Spurs scored all five goals in the opening half of a Premier League match for the first time in their history.
James Maddison scored twice at Southampton, his first after 36 seconds and his second on the stroke of half-time, while Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Pape Matar Sarr were also on target.
Victory was a welcome boost for Spurs, who had managed only one point from their previous three league matches.
They moved up to 10th place on the Premier League standings with 23 points from their 16 appearances.
Injury-hit Tottenham has looked fragile in recent weeks, winning only once in eight matches across all competitions.
But the confidence flooded back from the moment Djed Spence's sublime pass sent Maddison clear to fire the opening goal.
"It was outstanding by the players," Postecoglou told TNT Sports.
"We had a tough European game away on Thursday night. We had 10 first-team players unavailable tonight and for the lads to come out with that much energy.
"We had to come out quickly because we knew we were going to get tired.
"We are asking a lot of our layers and the quality and energy showed was outstanding."
Southampton's decision to part ways with Martin comes as the club remains on five points and looks destined for a rapid return to the Championship.
The Saints languish nine points from the safety zone.
"We can confirm that we have taken the difficult decision to part ways with our men's first team manager, Russell Martin," the club said in a statement.
"The reality of our situation is clear. The board have supported Russell and his staff and been open and transparent regarding our expectations.
"We have all been on the same page in recognising the urgency of needing results to improve."
Among other results, Manchester United poured on the misery for cross-town rivals City as late goals by Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo snatched an unlikely 2-1 away victory.
Buoyant Chelsea moved within two points of leaders Liverpool, as goals from Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson earned the Blues a 2-1 win over neighbours Brentford at Stamford Bridge.
Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr scored a brace as his side beat Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1, handing the Seagulls their first home defeat in the Premier League this season.
Reuters/ABC
