Jan Bednarek's opener was the fourth time Southampton have scored in the first five minutes of a Premier League game this season; the most of any side in 2021-22.
Southampton comfortably beat Brentford to move up to 11th in the Premier League - in front of the Saints' new owner Dragan Solak.
Jan Bednarek gave the hosts the early lead when he glanced in a header from James Ward-Prowse's left-wing corner.
Brentford equalised with their first shot on target thanks to Vitaly Janelt's excellent sliced volley after Bryan Mbeumo's cross.
But the Saints retook the lead as Ibrahima Diallo shot goalwards and it bounced off the post and off Bees' goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez for an own goal.
Shortly after the restart, the hosts added a third when Armando Broja raced on to Oriel Romeu's fine through ball and calmly finished past Fernandez.
Substitute Che Adams, back after a Covid-19 absence, scored within five minutes of coming on, reaching a long pass before the Brentford goalkeeper and poking in a fourth - the first time Southampton have scored four times in a Premier League match this season.
This was the first home game for Southampton since it was confirmed that the Sport Republic group had bought Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng's 80% stake of the club earlier this month.
Serb media mogul Solak, who financially backed the takeover, was at St Mary's and saw his new side record only their fifth league win of the season.
The Saints move above Brentford, who missed a chance to move into the top half and instead drop to 13th.
- Southampton v Brentford as it happened, plus reaction and analysisGo straight to all the best Saints contentVisit our Bees page
Dragan Solak waves to supporters before the game at St Mary's StadiumPoor Brentford easily beaten
For Brentford, this result continues a worrying run of form away from home which has seen them pick up only two points on the road from their past six league matches.
After falling behind to Bednarek's header, they equalised on 23 minutes when Mbeumo, who had scored a hat-trick in their 4-1 win over Port Vale in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday, crossed and Janelt showed excellent skill to cut across the ball and volley home.
Janelt instantly had a chance to put the Bees ahead but saw his 25-yard powerful strike parried well by home goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
But after the Saints regained their advantage, the hosts pulled cleared and scored twice more to run out worthy winners and inflict the heaviest defeat of the season on the visitors.
Both Ivan Toney and Mbeumo had efforts saved late on by Forster, but Brentford boss Thomas Frank will be unhappy with his side's performance and they will need an instant improvement as their next game is at Liverpool on Sunday.
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Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection
- SouthamptonSouthamptonSouthamptonBrentfordBrentfordBrentford
SouthamptonStarting XIAvgSquad number44Player nameForsterAverage rating
7.51
12345678910Squad number35Player nameBednarekAverage rating
8.50
12345678910Squad number4Player nameLyancoAverage rating
7.70
12345678910Squad number22Player nameSalisuAverage rating
8.21
12345678910Squad number23Player nameTellaAverage rating
8.16
12345678910Squad number8Player nameWard-ProwseAverage rating
8.84
12345678910Squad number6Player nameOriol RomeuAverage rating
8.45
12345678910Squad number27Player nameDialloAverage rating
8.07
12345678910Squad number15Player namePerraudAverage rating
7.94
12345678910Squad number11Player nameRedmondAverage rating
7.39
12345678910Squad number18Player nameBrojaAverage rating
8.68
12345678910SubstitutesAvgSquad number9Player nameA ArmstrongAverage rating
7.56
12345678910Squad number10Player nameAdamsAverage rating
8.47
12345678910Squad number17Player nameS ArmstrongAverage rating
8.21
12345678910Share your Southampton player ratings withFacebookTwitterWhatsAppCopy and share linkBrentfordStarting XIAvgSquad number40Player nameFernándezAverage rating
3.67
12345678910Squad number20Player nameAjerAverage rating
4.78
12345678910Squad number18Player nameJanssonAverage rating
3.87
12345678910Squad number5Player namePinnockAverage rating
4.39
12345678910Squad number30Player nameRoerslevAverage rating
4.55
12345678910Squad number27Player nameJaneltAverage rating
5.91
12345678910Squad number6Player nameNørgaardAverage rating
5.28
12345678910Squad number26Player nameBaptisteAverage rating
4.59
12345678910Squad number7Player nameCanósAverage rating
4.15
12345678910Squad number19Player nameMbeumoAverage rating
5.12
12345678910Squad number17Player nameToneyAverage rating
4.71
12345678910SubstitutesAvgSquad number8Player nameJensenAverage rating
5.19
12345678910Squad number11Player nameWissaAverage rating
4.11
12345678910Squad number36Player nameStevensAverage rating
4.76
12345678910Share your Brentford player ratings withFacebookTwitterWhatsAppCopy and share link
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsSouthampton
Formation 3-5-2
44Forster35Bednarek4Lyanco22Salisu23Tella8Ward-Prowse6Romeu27Diallo15Perraud11Redmond18Broja
- 44Forster35Bednarek4Lyanco22Salisu23TellaSubstituted forS Armstrongat 70'minutes8Ward-Prowse6Romeu27Diallo15Perraud11RedmondSubstituted forAdamsat 65'minutes18BrojaSubstituted forA Armstrongat 78'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Stephens7Long9A Armstrong10Adams13Caballero16Small17S Armstrong38Simeu48Chauke
Brentford
Formation 3-5-2
40Fernández20Ajer18Jansson5Pinnock30Roerslev27Janelt6Nørgaard26Baptiste7Canós19Mbeumo17Toney
- 40Fernández20Ajer18Jansson5PinnockSubstituted forJensenat 68'minutes30Roerslev27Janelt6Nørgaard26BaptisteSubstituted forWissaat 56'minutes7CanósSubstituted forStevensat 76'minutes19Mbeumo17ToneyBooked at 45mins
Substitutes
- 2Thompson8Jensen9Forss11Wissa14Ghoddos28Bidstrup29Bech Sørensen36Stevens49Lössl
Referee:Stuart AttwellAttendance:27,383Match StatsHome TeamSouthamptonAway TeamBrentfordPossessionHome49%Away51%ShotsHome12Away5Shots on TargetHome6Away4CornersHome5Away2FoulsHome9Away8Live TextPost update
Match ends, Southampton 4, Brentford 1.
90'+6'Full Time
Second Half ends, Southampton 4, Brentford 1.
90'+5'Post update
Foul by Ivan Toney (Brentford).
90'+5'Post update
Ibrahima Diallo (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+3'Post update
Yoane Wissa (Brentford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+3'Post update
Foul by Lyanco (Southampton).
85'Post update
Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
85'Post update
Foul by Ibrahima Diallo (Southampton).
85'Post update
Attempt saved. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mathias Jensen with a through ball.
83'Post update
Attempt saved. Ivan Toney (Brentford) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.
83'Post update
Attempt blocked. Ivan Toney (Brentford) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Finley Stevens with a headed pass.
82'Post update
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by James Ward-Prowse.
80'Post update
Attempt saved. Adam Armstrong (Southampton) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ibrahima Diallo.
78'Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. Adam Armstrong replaces Armando Broja because of an injury.
76'Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Finley Stevens replaces Sergi Canós because of an injury.
70'goalGoal!
Goal! Southampton 4, Brentford 1. Che Adams (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ibrahima Diallo.
70'Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. Stuart Armstrong replaces Nathan Tella because of an injury.
68'Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Mathias Jensen replaces Ethan Pinnock.
65'Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. Che Adams replaces Nathan Redmond because of an injury.
63'Post update
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Lyanco.
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Source: bbc.com