Claude Puel believes Saints will see more stunning goals from Sofiane Boufal after the £16m record signing marked his first start with a brilliant strike to send his new side into the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

The Moroccan lit up a poor match with a truly stunning winner as Saints defeated Sunderland 1-0 at St Mary’s to set up a mouth-watering last eight tie away to Arsenal.

It was a long awaited goal with Saints having had to be patient with Boufal, who arrived at the club still recovering from a knee injury, but it proved worth waiting for.

Puel said: “I am not surprised for his goal because he has the technical to make this situation but it’s fantastic for him and for all the squad, and very important for the future of the squad.

“I think it is a good time to stay patient with him because it is his first game to come back and he doesn’t have the good physical level and he can make progress for the future.

“It was not the plan he play 80 minutes but the situation of the game showed it was important he stayed and he can score this goal which is very important for this squad and to see his qualities.

“We must work on his physical level and also on the play, but sometimes he can do a situation action fantastic.

“It’s a pleasure to see this player.”

Puel indicated that despite Boufal’s stunning goal, he will not rush him into regular first team action as he looks to ensure his new man is available for the long term.

“It’s important to stay patient with him because he is young and he cannot for the moment do all the action and show all his possibilities and like the goal you can see he is an interesting player,” insisted Puel.

“It is important to keep our calm with him and step by step he will have different possibilities to play for the future.

“It is important to keep him fit.”

One of the downsides of the game was another injury for Jay Rodriguez.

The striker had a clash of heads with Billy Jones early in the first half and was later forced off after feeling dizzy.

Puel reported: “He could not continue the game and he goes back home and we will see his situation tomorrow.”