Last updated on .From the section Football

Adam Lallana's brace gave Championship leaders Southampton a comfortable victory over Barnsley at St Mary's.

The Saints took the lead when Lallana was quickest to react to a Rickie Lambert knockdown, drilling home from 18 yards out.

His second came after good work from Tadanari Lee, who pulled the ball back for Lallana to tap in.

Danny Rose had Barnsley's best chance of the game, but his header came back off the crossbar.

Following their midweek draw against Ipswich, Nigel Adkins's men went three points clear at the top of the table.

Lallana could have had a hat-trick, but for Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele who kept him out with a wonderful save.

Lambert, the division's top scorer with 21 goals this season, missed an opportunity to add to his tally, striking straight at Steele when in a good position.

But the home supporters would have been pleased to see Lallana hit a clean shot for the first goal.

And he was in the right place to double their advantage after Lee's impressive ball control.

Rose could have pulled a goal back but could only direct his header onto the bar as Keith Hill's team were condemned to their fifth straight away defeat.