Mauricio Pellegrino is optimistic that victory over West Brom will relieve the feelings of anxiety that have gripped Saints in recent weeks.

With just two wins on the board going into the game against the Baggies, and results elsewhere before the late kick-off emphasising further the need for three points, a sense of nervousness was again palpable.

While Saints controlled the match, a few missed chances made it seemed as if it wouldn’t be their day again.

That was until Sofiane Boufal produced an individual moment of brilliance just minutes after coming off the sub’s bench.

It was a stunning goal to grab the win, and give the team and the fans and a much needed lift at what feels like an increasingly crucial period in the season.

Pellegrino is hoping that it eases some of the anxiety the players have felt, particularly when performing at home.

He said: “Hopefully but for me to sustain and to win games you have to play well. You have to play better than the opponent.

“This is our job and I will repeat that the attitude of the players is right, is good.

“In football in the Premier League you have to fight for every single point.

“We play a very difficult team and to beat them you have to do a lot of things.

“I am happy with how we play and we have to continue.”

The introduction of Boufal was part of a tactical reshuffle from Pellegrino, who had already made a significant change to the starting side with Manolo Gabbiadini playing as the main striker and Shane Long on the right wing.

With Steven Davis also drafted into the side for Nathan Redmond, Saints had controlled the game but had failed to find that killer moment to make the most of their dominance.

That was until the introduction of Boufal after West Brom had switched to three centre halves and two strikers.

“We decide to play like this and I think we made the right decision because we controlled well the second balls and with Davis, Mario and Dusan in the middle we have the ball all the time and we never lose control too many times,” admitted Pellegrino.

“Physically they are maybe stronger than us so the ball and possession for me was crucial.

“The change at the end where they put on five defenders and two strikers meant we were in trouble and we changed again and we put on Sofiane and Nathan and from this moment we were again managing the game.”