An dominant and impressive performance from Exeter meant a bonus point victory at Franklins Gardens, with Northampton now just 4 points above 11th placed Worcester.
Northampton Saints (7) 14
Tries: Tuala, Reinach
Cons: Francis x2
Exeter Chiefs (11) 35
Tries: Chudley, S Simmonds, Waldrom, Yeandle
Cons: Steenson x2, J Simmonds
Pens: Steenson x3
Northampton's fortunes did not change following Jim Mallinder's sacking in the week, with Exeter providing the Midlands-based club with a romping on 'Christmas Eve Eve' to mark their first home defeat following Alan Dickens' interim takeover.
Exeter scrum-half Will Chudley starting the scoring, as he latched onto his own chip to go over - with Steenson kicking the Chiefs 3 points a few minutes earlier.
The Saints seemed to have some control on the game in the first half, and were rewarded through Ahsee Tuala as he went over to score for them; going in at the break 11-7.
Rob Baxter obviously gave his players a stern talking to, and Exeter came out after the break and completey dominated the game from there. Sam Simmonds and Thomas Waldrom went over and Jack Yeandle added another, with a consolation try coming from Cobus Reinach even with Northampton down to 14 for the last 5 minutes.
Northampton have now won just one of their past 12 games, while the Chiefs extended their lead at the top of the table. I certainly wouldn't be ruling out Northampton to be relegation candidates - something which I predicted at the start of the season.
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