Despite Torquay heralding from League Two, Southampton brushed aside the Seagulls with a polished performance from a strong team.
Steve de Ridder, making his first start for Saints - opened the scoring on 16 minutes. However, some lapse defending allowed Lee Mansell to level the scores moments after the visitors fell behind.
After a few nervy minutes, Southampton regained the lead with a textbook free kick from Rickie Lambert just before the half hour mark. The League Two outfit had chances in the second half to draw level once again, but Richard Chaplow put the result beyond doubt late on.
Jonathan Forte added a forth goal in injury time, striking on the rebound after Adam Lallana has struck the woodwork.
Although Torquay aren't the toughest opponents Southampton will face this season, Saints are playing with confidence and scoring goals.
Seven goals in their first two games by seven different scorers will give Atkins a lot to be hopeful about. Although teenage star Alex Chamberlain has finally left for Arsenal, Southampton are showing their team did not revolve around him.
Unlike the days of Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and even Matt Le Tissier, the current Saints team have several good players who have started the season full of confidence. With a long way still to go, things are starting to look up for Southampton - and with a potential £12 million to spend following Chamberlain's departure - there are high hopes for Nigel Atkin's side.
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