Middlesbrough moved back into the Championship’s top two as four goals in 22 second-half minutes swept aside sorry Southampton.
Morgan Whittaker scored twice, with a rare Sam Silvera goal sandwiched in between, before substitute Alan Browne added a fourth as Boro took advantage of Ipswich Town having their match away to Portsmouth postponed.
It was a first win, and first goals, in five games for Kim Hellberg’s team as they reduced the gap to leaders Coventry City to six points, after the Sky Blues had earlier lost away at Birmingham City.
Saints had wasted a number of chances to take the lead, but their poor festive form continued after their collapse.
It is now six games without a win for the south coast club as they sit in 15th, eight points away from the play-offs and nine above the relegation zone.
