Claude Puel praised the intelligence of James Ward-Prowse as the midfielder led Saints to a comprehensive 3-0 win over Leicester at St Mary’s.

Ward-Prowse scored the opener and had a hand in the second with a fine set-piece delivery as Saints ended their fourth match top flight losing streak.

Puel was delighted with the performance of the 22-year-old academy graduate.

He said: “I think since the beginning of the season he can make good progress, strong with a good presence, good physical recovery and quality on the pitch also.

“He takes confidence and it is important also because it gives situations with a good right foot on the free kicks. This gives us opportunities to score like the second goal with Jay for example.

“This is important for all the team and he improve and I trust him because we can have different possibilities with Davis, with Clasie, with Hojbjerg, Romeu and Reed. We have many players for three places but it is interesting to see James at this level and scoring. This is very important.”

He added: “I think since the beginning of the season first game was difficult for him at home against Watford but after he played with good spirit, quality, strong character, good personality and intelligent because he can analyse a situation after every game and he knows whether an interesting game or not. It is important for young players to improve by analysing after the game.”

The Leicester win was a convincing victory for Saints and Puel admitted: “I am happy of course to stop the losses in the Premier League and to win this game.

“I think it was a game between two teams in difficulties and it was important to play this game with good confidence, good calm and good spirit and good play.

“It was a fantastic first half with beautiful goals and good management in the second half we can finish off the game before.

“It was important to have a lot of opportunities to score and to stay with a clean sheet and to take good confidence to prepare the next game.”

Puel was particularly pleased that Saints scored three times after their recent troubles in front of goal.

“It is good to score because we can have every game a lot of situation and opportunities and chances and we can score. This was difficult to accept,” he confessed.

“I was happy when I see Ward-Prowse scoring because it is important the midfield can score and try and keep good spontaneity after good action.

“Defenders and midfielders can score and not just the striker.

“We finish our game against Burnley with 15 chances and just two for the opponent and they won the game.

“It is difficult for us to accept and this is for many games and it was important to have the good clinical and it’s a good confidence for all the players in the squad against Liverpool.”