Saracens underlined their title credentials when they dominated Sale Sharks 23-10 at Vicarage Road in the Aviva Premiership on Sunday.

The first opportunity for points came in the third minute for Sale Sharks' Nick Macleod but he missed his penalty kick just as he did in the 52nd minute.

In contrast Owen Farrell kicked three penalties and converted two tries for Saracens.

It had looked like Sale were headed for a whitewash as they struggled for most of the match and only got on the board ten minutes from time when they had substitued MacLeod for Kearnan Myall which got their backline flowing.

Sale Sharks seemed to be lifted once they were on the scoreboard and kept up the momentum to score their second try through Mark Easter. Minutes before Miller's try it looked like Saracens would end with a flourish.

Farrell produced a perfect kicking display, scoring 13 points, as he once again displayed a temperament worthy of the international arena.

It was a chance for Charlie Hodgson to shine against his former employers for the first time, but it was his protege Farrell who put in another composed performance.

Sale enjoyed plenty of possession themselves and were rewarded when full-back Rob Miller and number eight Mark Easter touched down late on.

However, the hosts' defence were typically stout and the visitors failed to breach Steve Borthwick's charges for the majority of the game, even though Nick MacLeod had an early chance which he failed to take.

And they were made to pay when David Strettle went in at the corner and Farrell converted a difficult opportunity from out wide.

He then added his first three-pointer on 30 minutes as the hosts led 10-0 at half-time. A

brace of penalties from that man Farrell put the home side further in control as Sale started to wilt under the pressure of the smothering Saracens pack.

Another strong forward drive from a line-out ended in prop Matt Stevens touching down, Farrell adding the extras, before Sale mounted a brief revival.

Firstly, Miller scampered over before Easter went in soon after. Miller missed both conversions and had Sale's kickers demonstrated the accuracy of Farrell then they could have left London with a bonus-point.

Namibian Rugby World Cup captain and Saracens flanker Jacques Burger was named man of the match.

Final Score Saracens 23 (10) Sale Sharks 10 (0)

Scorers

Saracens
Tries: Strettle
Penalties: Farrell 2
Conversions: Farrell 2

Sale Sharks
Tries : Miller, Easter

Referee : Referee: Martin Fox (72nd Premiership game)

Teams

Saracens :

15 Alex Goode , 14 David Strettle , 13 Owen Farrell , 12 Brad Barritt , 11 Chris Wyles , 10 Charlie Hodgson , 9 Neil de Kock , 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Jacques Burger , 6 Kelly Brown , 5 Mouritz Botha ,4 Steve Borthwick (c) ,3 Carlos Nieto , 2 Schalk Brits , 1 Deon Carstens ,

Replacements : 16 Jamie George , 17 Rhys Gill , 18 Matt Stevens , 19 Hayden Smith , 20 Andy Saull , 21 Ben Spencer , 22 Adam Powell , 23 James Short

Sale Sharks:

15.Rob Miller, 14.Will Addison, 13.Johnny Leota, 12.Sam Tuitupou (capt.), 11.Mark Cueto, 10.Nick Macleod, 9.Will Cliff, 1.Alasdair Dickinson, 2.Tommy Taylor, 3.Henry Thomas, 4.Fraser McKenzie, 5.James Gaskell, 6.Richie Vernon. 7.David Seymour, 8.Andy Powell,

Replacements 16.Marc Jones, 17.Vadim Cobilas, 18.Tony Buckley, 19.Kearnan Myall, 20.Mark Easter, 21.Cillian Willis, 22.Tasesa Lavea, 23.Tom Brady