Saints got off to a winning start under Alan Pardew at St. Mary's in emphatic style with a performance to match the impressive score line.

Pardew took to his seat in the St. Mary's dugout for the first time although he didn't spend much time sitting in it as he delivered most of his instructions from the edge of the technical area.

The 48 year-old manager was a spectator at last weekend's defeat to Ajax in the Ted Bates Trophy match and was keen for his side to put on a show to the Saints fans this time around.

He set his team out in a 4-4-2 formation against SPL side Hearts with trialist Graeme Murty given another opportunity to earn a contract at the club by starting at right back.

Dan Harding lined up for his debut on the left whilst Matthew Paterson was partnered by Stern John in attack.

On a bright day at St. Mary's it was Saints who matched the conditions from the off with a 2nd minute rising shot from Joseph Mills coming as an early warning to the visitors.

Hearts forwards Laryea Kingston and David Witteveen were well marshalled by Wayne Thomas and Chris Perry as they restricted the Jambos strikers to long range efforts for most of the afternoon.

Saints turned the screw and took the lead on 13 minutes when Adam Lallana picked up a lay-off from Stern John and created the space for himself before striking a low shot into the bottom corner to give Pardew's side an early fillip.

The midfielder, who scored three goals last season, said after the game that he hopes to get into double figures this term and strikes like this one will no doubt provide a tonic for his confidence.

Clear cut chances were few and far between for the rest of the half although John and Paterson continued to press the Edinburgh side's back line throughout. The latter's dipping shot from John's knock down the closest Saints came to adding to their lead.

No changes were made at the break by Pardew as his side continued from where they left off, Mills clearly revelling in an advanced role, again going close with an early effort. His low shot was held firm by Hearts' Hungarian stopper Janos Balogh.

Paterson tested Balogh ten minutes later when he cut inside and struck a low shot towards the near post which the 'keeper scrambled down to his left to get to.

On 63 minutes Saints made their first substitutions of the game as Mills and John made way for Oscar Gobern and Grzegorz Rasiak, and within a minute the Polish striker was on the score sheet.

Lallana was upended on the right earning a free-kick for his troubles. New signing Harding stepped up and whipped a dangerous ball into the centre which was narrowly avoided by one substitute Gobern but turned into the net by fellow sub Rasiak who scored with his first touch of the game.

With their tails up, Saints were coming forward at every opportunity and three minutes later, Lallana and Rasiak combined with an neat one-two and the latter struck a strong shot towards the top corner, which Balogh was just about able to push away to safety.

Oliver Lancashire replaced Wayne Thomas on 69 minutes with the former Burnley man appearing to be in some pain as he made his way off the field but fortunately suffered no injury.

Another Lallana shot was blocked as the game headed towards the closing stages and as play resumed Murty got down the right hand side and delivered a perfect cross for Rasiak who powered home a header to wrap up the scoring.

Hearts substitutes Andrew Driver and Christian Nade linked up for the visitor's best opportunity in the second half but Nade's scuffed shot was easily gathered by Kelvin Davis who had a very quiet afternoon in the Saints goal.

Gobern forced a late corner as Pardew was saluted by the fans who provided a warm welcome to the former West Ham boss, which was reciprocated at the final whistle.

Saints: Davis, Murty, Perry, Thomas (Lancashire 69), Harding (James 81), Lallana, Wotton, Gillett, Mills (Gobern 63), Paterson (Thomson 83), John (Rasiak 63). Subs (not used): Bialkowski.

Hearts: Balogh, Bouzid, Zaliukas (Kucharski 65), Wallace (Goncalves 46), Jonsson, Suso Santana (Nade 72), Black (Glen 46), Palazuelos, Obua (Driver 68), Kingston (M. Stewart 46), Witteveen (Novikovas 72). Subs (not used): McDonald, Thomson, J. Stewart, McGowan.

Referee: Mr. Steve Tanner.

Attendance: 5,158