It is a very difficult task to win three Premier League games in a row.

Generally, such runs of form are reserved for those competing at the top of the table. For teams nearer the bottom it is the stuff of dreams.

Nine points makes such a huge difference, and to pick those up in a short space of time to gain that feeling of momentum in the second half of a season is a massive thing.

Saints understand all too well how tough an ask it is.

It is now approaching three years since they managed a hat-trick of back-to-back top-flight victories.

They have had two attempts now already under Ralph Hasenhuttl – a sure sign of significant progress – but on both occasions have dipped at home on the trail of the third.

The first was very understandable.

After the wins against Arsenal and Huddersfield, the visit of West Ham came at a time of a packed fixture schedule over Christmas and New Year.

Last night against Palace it was a case of a point rescued.

It was a little more puzzling as to just why Saints took so long to get going given their ten fixture free days and Hasenhuttl’s positivity over the amount of work they put in in preparation for the match.

But Palace were the dominant force in the first half in an attacking sense, and in the second were very impressive with their shape and discipline.

The key moment really came late on when Hasenhuttl finally changed shape. Finally, because Saints had been crying out for it for a while.

Saints needlessly had three centre halves, and by going to a back four got another man further up the pitch, which they desperately needed.

It was Ward-Prowse, given the freedom to attack from right back, who bagged the goal, fed by Matt Targett, given the freedom to attack from left back.

The redundant extra centre half removed freed Saints up to press forward rather than getting trapped into holding possession deep.

Drawing with Palace was not a great result, but it was far from a disaster either.

There is now a little extra pressure on the next two matches, away to Burnley and at home to Cardiff.

But at least Saints showed further resilience, fight and spirit to get something.

Even if Hasenhuttl’s tactical change did come late in the day, at least it arrived and what might have been a defeat earlier in the season did yield something positive to keep the points tally ticking over.