Saints dominated the game from start to finish with a display built on the back of sterling performances from some of those who have been under fire in recent weeks.
Whilst Saints won easily, they could just have easily have been a goal behind before they got into gear, but with Cardiff spurning an early chance as Paulo Gazzaniga stayed rooted to his line, the keeper made it his last error of the game and went on to have an almost faultless performance in the Saints goal.
As much as the victory was built on the guile of Adam Lallana and the finishing of Jay Rodriguez, it owed much to Gazzaniga who not only made a series of saves, but grew in confidence in coming for crosses and in front of him his defence grew in confidence with the returning Fonte and Yoshida showing that the loss of Lovren was a blow but not a fatal one.
Saints despite 60% possession though didnt have it all their own way and Cardiff never gave up battling even when they were swept away in a three goal blitz midway through the first half, first Lallana crossed for Rodriguez to slide in and open the scoring, five minutes later it was Jay Rod again this time it was Lambert the provider, then from a set piece Rodriguez knocked down for Lambert to make it three and still only 27 minutes on the clock.
The game was now there for Saints taking and it would only be themselves shooting themselves in the foot that would give it away.
Perhaps the moment that made sure that Saints would not be put under pressure came on the stroke of half time, a cross was hit in to the six yard box, Gazzaniga came out and under pressure got a punch in, but the ball went straight up, this was perhaps a moment when if he didnt stand strong the Bluebirds would score and come out in the second half and put us under the screw, the young keeper stood strong and showed that his confidence was back by catching the ball under pressure and making sure it was 3-0 at the break and the Dragon would not roar in the second half.
For those who are sick to death of some Saints supporters getting on the back of Gazzaniga and others it was good to see that he has not buckled under pressure and was big enough to ride through a rough period and come out the other side.
But it was also a real team performance in that every man did his job and did it well and it augurs well for the rest of the season, in truth this was not the hardest of opponents and the question of whether the off field problems would spur them on or weigh them down was soon answered, but make no mistake Cardiff did not lay down and die and kept Saints on their toes to the final whistle.
Now Saints have to build on this performance, one victory does not mean the crisis is over it just means that we should support the team rather than get on its back or more specifically the back of certain players.
If we had lost this game then the ramifications dont bear thinking about, but we didnt lose and hopefully can grow stronger.
Deservedly in my opinion Gazzaniga was the man of the match, not just for his saves or the way he commanded his box and grew in confidence as the match went on, but the way that he has never hidden in recent weeks and has now come back stronger.