AT times, it was just like watching Brazil as Guilherme Do Prado shone at the Ricoh Arena.

Guly, a wonderful foil for Rickie Lambert, led Coventry City’s defenders a merry dance with his mesmerising close control and vision.

He was particularly outstanding in the first half when he was behind Saints’ best moments during one of the team’s most impressive spells of an impressive season.

The Brazilian was virtually unplayable down the left during the five minutes in which he provided the assists for Richard Chaplow and Adam Lallana to find the net from close range.

His languid brilliance was a joy to behold for the 3,000-plus Saints fans.

Guly politely declined an interview request afterwards, explaining that his English is not good enough.

But he certainly let his football do the talking.

Having created the first goal, he did a fine impression of Thierry Henry as his fluid strides took him past the flailing challenge of centre half Nathan Cameron.

Moments later, he floated along the goalline before stinging the Coventry defence with the pass for Lallana to tap in the second.

Guly may be used to warmer climes but his goal return for Saints last season peaked with five goals in four games at the beginning of January.

And in the last week he has shown he is as useful with his head as his pair of dancing feet.

His brace of headers against Middlesbrough the previous Saturday was followed by another headed goal when it was needed most against Coventry.

It restored Saints’ lead following Danny Fox's delicious cross from the left.

Guly is a mercurial and sometimes enigmatic talent but on Saturday he was Saints’ perfect number ten, producing moments of high skill and an end product that some of his illustrious countrymen would have been proud of.

Having had some experience of Serie A during his time in Italy with Perugia, it will be interesting to see how he copes with the Premier League should Saints win promotion, as looks increasingly likely.

On this evidence, there is no reason why he should not do very well. Still in his peak years, he will be 30 on December 31st - the eve of what could be a defining year in his career.