YOUNG pairing of Nathan Tella and Armando Broja put on a “fantastic” partnership leading Saints’ attack in the absence of Che Adams and Adam Armstrong, insists Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Aged just 22 and 20 respectively, the Saints academy man and Chelsea loanee were a refreshing pair on a night that was built up to with attacking concern.

Broja was not confirmed to be fit and Saints faced a potential crisis in search of a viable outlet.

But Hasenhuttl admitted that, although they are by no means finished products, he liked what he saw during the 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park.

Asked to assess the youngsters, the Austrian responded: “Yeah, sometimes still a little bit ahh with the ball, some mistakes.

“But what I like is that they’re both online and waiting for the balls that are falling down there, they have also big quality with the speed, the finishing normally to score a goal.

“And especially the work they do against the ball, it is fantastic for us.”

After being limited to under 90 minutes of action by matchday 13 of the 2021-22 Premier League, Tella is enjoying his best run of games in a Saints shirt 45 minutes against Liverpool succeeded by four consecutive starts.

However, he is yet to add to his first league goal for the club, which he scored back in May.

Meanwhile, Broja has four goals in the league this campaign.