Southampton netted four times in the second half as they saw off League One Stevenage in the Capital One Cup second round at the Lamex Stadium tonight.
Stevenage would have had hopes of an upset when they entered the break 0-0 with Nigel Adkins's newly-promoted Saints.
However, the terms were level for just seven minutes in the second period as Tadanari Lee opened the scoring following good build-up play from Billy Sharp.
The former Scunthorpe United striker added his own name to the scoresheet when he converted from Richard Chaplow's cleverly-taken quick free kick.
Jason Puncheon then firmly established Southampton's superiority with a fantastic individual goal, flicking the ball up before volleying in from 30 yards.
Michael Thalassitis netted a consolation for Stevenage in the latter stages but there was still time for youngster Ben Reeves to restore the visitors' three-goal advantage with a bending left-footed shot.
Joe Fish
