Mauricio Pellegrino believes that Sofiane Boufal’s moment of magic could prove to be a vital moment in Saints’ season.

The £16m Moroccan midfielder produced a stunning goal to secure a late win over West Brom at St Mary’s, picking up the ball deep inside his own half before an incredible break forward and a magical finish.

It gave Saints only a third win of the season, and staved off a slight sinking feeling that was beginning to creep over the club.

Pellegrino acknowledged the potential importance of the individual moment of brilliance which secured well deserved win.

He said: “I think it was for sure one of the beautiful goals in this season and hopefully we can believe in more goals like this.

“This action changed the game because the game at the end was a little bit difficult but the most important thing of this game is for me we deserved to win. We were much better than them in my opinion.

“From the beginning we dominate the game, we have the ball, create chances, and a lack of effectiveness I think is something hopefully we can improve in the next few games.

“In the end with this action we are happy with that because we needed that three points and hopefully we can have more confidence in the next few games.”

Boufal’s goal was only his third for Saints since joining the club to much fanfare in 2016, and his first in ten months.

The creative talent has struggled for match time under Pellegrino, but the manager insisted Boufal is not alone in needing time to shine.

“Most of my players needs to play. All of them,” admitted the Saints boss.

“Most of them deserve to play but this is a team sport and in a team sport you have to wait for your opportunity and you have to work for that.

“I am happy for Sofiane. I am happy for my players because we needed this three points.

“Hopefully this action can change more or less and have more minutes.”

Credit must also go to Pellegrino, who confessed he felt he had to bide his time waiting for the right moment to introduce Boufal to ensure he would have the chance to be effective.

“You never know,” reflected Pellegrino.

“I decide we play with this player because I thought it is the best for the team.

“Sometimes when the game is really physical like today you have to wait the moment or the environment to put this player on the pitch.

“On the ball it is really easy to plan but the difficult thing is to do it on the pitch.”