FA Cup Finalists Southampton turned on the style to tear Leeds to pieces at St Mary's.

And despite the deceptive closeness of the final scoreline - Leeds scoring twice in the last 10 minutes after been pummelled for the first 80 - Elland Road caretaker boss Peter Reid was left fuming as hot-head striker Alan Smith compounded the misery of his team's ragged performance by being sent off for the third time this season.

The bottle-blond striker's exit came just after the hour mark when the red mist had not only appeared before his eyes but clearly engulfed him.

He had been booked just minutes earlier for a bad foul on Saints striker Brett Ormerod, who had scored the opening goal, but then put an arm across the face of Michael Svensson in an aerial duel before kicking the Swede across the shins as they both came down to earth.

The upshot will be another ban for Smith to go on a crime-sheet as long as his arm.

His two previous red cards this term both came in October - one against Middlesbrough and the other playing for England against Macedonia at Southampton.

Yet the youngster - he is 22 now - seems unable to learn the law of discipline. Admittedly, though, the Leeds team seemed to be falling apart around him.

There were four other bookings and barely a worthwhile attack until Harry Kewell swept home an admirable solo goal for a consolation effort 10 minutes from time.

But none of that should take the credit from Southampton who celebrated last week's FA Cup semi final triumph with a rampaging display that thrilled their 32,000 home fans.

Naturally James Beattie, the Premiership's leading marksman, was on target with his 22nd this season but not before Ormerod, who broke a 23-match personal drought with the opener against Watford in the Cup semi final stabbed in a rebound off Paul Robinson's save on the half hour.

Anders Svensson, the best player on the park, added an impressive third early in the second half - and just as well he did as Leeds smuggled home two of their own late on through Kewell and substitute Nick Barmby.

Paul Jones, still standing in for the injured Antti Niemi, had to make a save for Saints in the opening minute but it was a fairly routine affair although Smith did well to wriggle into a position to get in a shot from the area's edge for Leeds.

An outstanding piece of play by Wayne Bridge, which gave Saints their first chance, set the tone for a thrilling first-half performance.

The England full back slipped two challenges down the left and swung over a deep cross. which Beattie stretched to head at goal although he was too far out to seriously trouble Robinson.

Ormerod should have done better a minute later when confusion between centre backs Danny Mills and Michael Duberry gave him an opening but he fired high over the bar.

As Saints stepped up the pace with some stylish attacks, Robinson collected a Claus Lundekvam header after Matt Oakley curled a free kick from the left. Then the keeper keeper had to move quickly to fist away Oakley's 30 yards effort from a Bridge pass.

From the the corner which was cleared only to the edge of the Leeds area, Lundekvam hit a volley that rebounded away for another flag kick.

It finally spurred Leeds to hit back and it needed Michael Svensson's perfect tackle to stop Kewell breaking through before the Australian laid on a good chance which Smith hit wide from 14 yards.

But when the over-worked Robinson could only push out Anders Svensson's low shot on the half hour and Ormerod stabbed in the rebound, Saints took over completely.

Beattie scuffed in a second from Ormerod's knock down of a Fabrice Fernandes cross just before the break to register his 22nd in the Premiership and press his claims for the Golden Boot.

And after he set up Anders Svensson to control with his right and sweep home with his left for 3-0 in the 53rd minute, Beattie wasted at least two other chances to add to his impressive tally.

Saints in fact should have run away with it after Smith's dismissal - the ninth of his career - but took their foot off the gas, no doubt saving some for Arsenal at Cardiff on May 17.

It gave Leeds the chance to save some face with Kewell netting neatly after a solo burst 10 minutes from time and Barmby, who had replaced the desperately struggling Mills, hooking home from an Ian Harte free kick in stoppage time.

But boss Reid would not have been fooled. He knows this side, so magnificent in winning 6-1 at Charlton just two weeks ago, still have it to do to clinch Premiership survival.

Teams

Southampton: Jones, Telfer, Lundekvam, Michael Svensson, Bridge, Fernandes, Oakley, Prutton, Anders Svensson (Delap 88), Beattie, Ormerod.

Subs Not Used: Blayney, Williams, Higginbotham, Tessem.

Goals: Ormerod 31, Beattie 45, Anders Svensson 53.

Leeds: Robinson, Mills (Barmby 56), Duberry, Matteo, Harte, Kelly, Bakke, Wilcox, Kewell, Viduka, Smith.

Subs Not Used: Martyn, Milner, Bravo, Simon Johnson.

Sent Off: Smith (61).

Booked: Mills, Smith, Bakke, Viduka.

Goals: Kewell 80, Barmby 90.

Att: 32,032

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).