In pictures: Bristol City 8 Walsall 2

The Saddlers capitulated alarmingly after the interval after playing their part in a fine first half and heading into the interval level at 2-2 thanks to a Jordy Hiwula brace.

They folded in spectacular fashion after the break as centre-back Aden Flint completed a hat-trick for the Robins.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Kieran Agard both scored twice for the hosts with Marlon Pack also on target as Walsall caved in.

The early minutes of the game promised much as an unchanged Walsall side set out with attacking intent against the partying champions, making for an open, expansive spectacle.

And, after an end-to-end start, it was Smith's side who delivered on the promise with a fantastic opening goal.

It was a counter-attacking move as Michael Cain's instinctive pass midway inside his own half sent Sam Mantom forward, driving at the heart of the City defence.

He took his time before feeding Hiwula to his left and the on-loan youngster produced a side-footed finish reminiscent of Thierry Henry to open the scoring past a helpless Frank Fielding from 15 yards.

City responded immediately and threatened when James Tavernier and Kieran Agard combined on the right with Tavernier's cross just eluding Thomas in the centre.

The Saddlers maintained their confidence with Tom Bradshaw tricking his way to the byline and delivering a cross that Hiwula could not quite meet.

But they were pegged back by a fantastic goal on 16 minutes.

Marlon Pack's left-wing cross after a short corner from Luke Freeman dropped for centre-back Flint, who unleashed a wonderful volley from 10 yards that flew past Craig MacGillivray in the Saddlers goal.

And their defences were breached again on 22 minutes, albeit with a hint of controversy as the visitors disputed the award of a penalty.

Referee Paul Tierney pointed to the spot when Derrick Williams' cross from the left struck the arm of Kieron Morris, with the Saddlers convinced their young winger was powerless to avoid the contact.

Thomas made no mistake, however, with a brilliantly nonchalant penalty past MacGIllivray after a slow, stuttering approach.

The Saddlers were undeterred, however, and Morris saw a shot from the edge of the box well gathered by Fielding.

So it was not a huge surprise when they restored parity nine minutes before half-time.

It was another pleasing move to give Morris a shooting chance on the edge of the box, although they needed a slice of good fortune when the youngster's shot struck Flint.

It ricocheted to Hiwula, who fed the ball perfectly between the legs of a squared-up Ayling and low past an unsighted Fielding.

And the Saddlers continued to press with Morris going close shortly before half-time, weaving across the edge of the box and sending a left-footed shot just wide.

The home side had the first chance of the second half when they broke down their right and a cross found Agard just inside the Saddlers box.

His shot was good but MacGillivray stood tall to produce an important block with his chest.

The second half continued in the same pattern of the first but the Saddlers found themselves behind again on 57 minutes when their commitment to attack caught them out.

They were over-committed on the edge of the City box and, when the lost possession, the home side broke four-on-two.

Thomas drove through the centre and fed Agard, who slotted home coolly.

That triggered a rout as the visitors capitulated in alarming fashion.

First Thomas beat Mal Benning too easily on the Saddlers right and crossed for Pack to make it 4-2 on 62 minutes.

And just a minute later the hosts made it 5-2 as they caught the Saddlers reeling.

They worked the ball from right to left across the edge of the visitors' area before Thomas blasted a powerful effort over MacGillivray and into the roof of the net.

Any hopes Smith had that City would settle for what they had were dashed on 67 minutes when the sixth goal arrived.

The impressive Luke Freeman was given too much space on the left and, when he crossed to the far post, Walsall appealed in vain for offside as Flint darted in unmarked to poke home for his second of the game.

The sixth goal did go some way towards quenching the City thirst for goals and Saddlers substitute Romaine Sawyers drew a flying catch from Fielding with a long-range effort.

But City added a seventh in the closing stages as Flint completed his memorable day.

He arrived at the far post to convert after Wade Elliot's cross had been allowed to bobble across goal.

And in stoppage time the rout was completed by Agard as he converted from 10 yards from Korey Smith's pass.