Ralph Hasenhuttl said it was a point won rather than two dropped as Saints drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace.

Saints were pretty flat for most of the game but James Ward-Prowse’s third goal in his last three Premier League games salvaged a point for Saints, who are unbeaten in their last four top-flight games and four points clear of the bottom three.

Hasenhuttl said: “I think it was winning one point and not losing two points. It was more a win for us than Crystal Palace.

“After a difficult first half against a very good team we showed we were not in the rhythm the first 45 minutes after ten days with no game.

“A little bit too slow in the mind for making the right decisions but it is very difficult against an opponent that doesn’t give you a chance to win the ball early, has long balls, counter attack players, defend in in a different way and close the pass ways.

“It is difficult to build up and therefore you need a lot of patience and in the right moment also a quick mind speed and that’s what we were missing the first half.

“The second half we switched a little bit playing forward and tried to play diagonal long balls to force the second ball and that stressed them a little bit more.

“It is not easy to create chances against this team because they are not good organised but our game became better after changing shape with 4-2-2-2 and we had one man more and more chance for the second ball.

“Also the quality to wait for the right moment and then we were really more patient and better decision making and the goal was the perfect situation I think.

“It was the best thing for us in this game and after the goal it is very important to find the right balance between going for the three points and not losing the game and with a team with these counter qualities it was necessary to be balanced.

“It was an important point and we are very happy to come back against such a team.”

Saints were much better once they changed formation late in the game, going from a back five to a four man defence.

Hasenhuttl defended his decision not to make the change earlier.

He reflected: “It’s dangerous because if you are one behind it is always open and against a tight opponent it is important not to lose so don’t take too much risk because you don’t matter if you take the goal ten minutes before the end because you can score the second goal.”