Sale made a blistering start to the game and took the lead in the second minute when Ford burst through before passing to Reed, who set up Ma’asi-White to dive into the corner.

A big scuffle immediately broke out between both sets of players, which started after Tom Curry reacted to a late challenge from England team-mate Maro Itoje.

That set the tone for a physical and frantic half which Sale dominated in all areas.

Ford, who had been brilliant in Sale’s win at Harlequins last week, was pulling the strings early on. Saracens hardly touched the ball until the eighth minute when Tom Willis went on a spectacular carry, bouncing off challenge after challenge before eventually losing the ball.

Tom Roebuck and Ford combined in a lightning quick break which ended with the England fly-half touching down between the posts for his first try – duly converted – since joining the Manchester club in 2022.

Fergus Burke missed a penalty kick from 35 metres out with Sarries’ first chance to get on the board.

Minutes later Reed came up with the moment of the match as he picked up the ball in front of his own tryline and tore away at lightning pace.

He dashed past Nick Tompkins, rode the challenge of Angus Hall, ran beyond Elliot Daly, and celebrated long before getting to the line knowing no-one could match his blistering speed.

Hall ran in Saracens’ first try in the right corner after a period of pressure from the visitors, finishing up after Daly’s great, 20-yard pass.

Hall was taken off for an HIA after a challenge at the start of the second half, with Alex Goode coming on in his place, and did not return to the field.

The hosts were in full control after the break and Ford kicked between the posts to open up an 18-point lead, though how costly referee Ridley’s mistake will prove for the Sharks is yet to be seen.

The unsighted referee’s decision to blow his whistle at what he thought was a Sale knock-on was all that stopped the Sharks from claiming a deserved bonus point, which would have moved them up to 49 points.

Alex Sanderson’s side have won their past four Premiership matches and go into the run-in with momentum.

They visit Leicester next in two weeks’ time, while Saracens host bottom side Newcastle Falcons.