Harrison Reed has made an impressive start to life in the Saints side.

The 19-year-old midfielder has waited patiently for his chance as a regular on the bench this season.

He was passed by when Ronald Koeman opted to move Toby Alderweireld into midfield after injuries to Morgan Schneiderlin and Jack Cork in the games against Manchester City and Arsenal.

But he finally got an opportunity for a first Saints start against Everton and thrived in a deep central midfield role, helping his side to a 3-0 victory.

Koeman said: “He played I think his best position, in front of the three centre backs and he had always a good feeling with the rest of the midfield to do the pressing.

“He put a lot of energy by himself and that gave the rest of the players the same energy and he was outstanding.

“I saw in the last two days in the training sessions he was very comfortable and his confidence.

“I think that’s his best position to play.

“He’s not the best technical player but he showed an unbelievable spirit, good character and won battles in the midfield and that’s important.”

Reed was not afraid to get amongst Everton at every opportunity and to ruffle a few feathers and was even taking the ball off of the likes of the physically strong Ross Barkley.

“Barkley is strong. It’s not easy,” reflected Koeman.

“It’s good for young boys to play, to get a debut, to play in the first team because that makes a lot to young players and we know that.”

There was a late Saints debut for Dominic Gape, who was one of four under-21 players on the bench against Everton, having been called into the first team squad by Koeman this week following a string of injuries and suspensions.

“We have a lot of talent and that means that the academy is working on a high level,” said Koeman.

“We need the academy because we can’t spend the money what different teams will spend on big players.

“We can’t do that, we need young players.

“I was not nervous about that, nervous that we need a win but not to put young ones or have the bench we had.