Claude Puel was delighted with the response of his players as Saints bounced back from the disappointing defeat at Sparta Prague with victory over Everton.

Even though they only won 1-0 at St Mary’s, it was an emphatic performance from Saints who looked dangerous throughout having been so toothless just days earlier.

Puel hopes the win will provide some much needed confidence ahead of a vital period for Saints.

“It was important to have a good reaction and a good answer,” he admitted. “It was difficult to lose away to Sparta but I say after the game the important to consider with this competition is the final game at home.

“Now for the comeback in the Premier League it was important to win and it’s important also to win with this progress before the game with injuries and players sick like Davis.

“It was important to give confidence with young players like Josh.

“All this gave confidence for the squad because we can have a solution every time if some problems happen.

“This is very important for the future and right now we change the team at the start and it’s a good thing, not just to keep good energy, a good physical level every game, but also we can see this to have the possibilities and solutions.

“This win gives confidence to all the squad.”

Saints could barely have asked for a better start to the game than a goal after just 41 seconds.

“For one time it is ok, it is interesting,” laughed Puel. “Normally (against Sparta) we took a goal after ten minutes and of course it’s better to score a fantastic goal.

“It was a strong start and it was important for the confidence.

“I think we can do a very good game, with quality, with many good actions.

“I took pleasure to see my players today because it was a fantastic game, the spirit and the quality.

“Just they need one more goal because it was difficult to finish the game against a great team, great players, and it is always difficult when it is just one goal.

“With the spirit, the attitude and the work of the team it is a very good answer because we have many problems before the game with injured players, with sick players, and to give the answer just three days after the loss against Sparta Prague was very very important for the team and we deserve for us and now of course it is important to continue this work.”

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Charlie Austin again proved the difference for Saints with his ninth goal of the season and Puel added: “Charlie is very important. He score penalties also and he feels the play. He can read the play in the box with good runs and good qualities to finish.

“He is an important player for us and it’s important also to give him some recovery between games. This is very important “It is important also all the offensive players and the defenders can score also.

“For example today I saw many good things and the action in front of the goal and it is interesting to continue this work together and improve this for the future.”

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