ROMAIN Perraud followed Stuart Armstrong in smashing an FA Cup rocket, with his opener versus West Ham, but Ralph Hasenhuttl insisted: “The ball is a little lighter so it is better to shoot from outside the box.”

The Frenchman scored his first goal in English football with a wicked left-footed shot across Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, in the first-half of the 3-1 victory.

It followed Armstrong’s thunderous effort that levelled the scores in the fourth round versus Championship Coventry City.

The two will surely go in as contenders for Saints’ goal of the season, alongside James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick versus Wolves, amongst others.

Manager Hasenhuttl was quick to praise the 24-year-old, who signed in the summer window from French Ligue One side Stade Brest, for impressive performances since the turn of 2022.

However, he admitted the anatomy of the ball might have just lent a helping hand, when it comes to thumping it in from 25 yards or more.

“What a goal,” Hasenhuttl exclaimed, speaking after the match.

“The ball is a little bit lighter in the FA Cup so it is better to shoot from outside the box now. Stuey in the last round, and now him.”

Daily Echo: Saints are into the FA Cup quarter-final (Pic: Stuart Martin)Saints are into the FA Cup quarter-final (Pic: Stuart Martin)

He continued: “Very happy for him (Perraud), he has made fantastic progress since being here and developed his game massively.

“I’m very happy he is here and, as I always say, I have three fantastic full-backs.”

The strike from Armstrong was also his first goal of the season, coming back at the start of February.

Saints’ stars have shown it’s not just the FA Cup balls that stay hit, following Oriol Romeu’s vicious effort at the end of the 2-0 Premier League win over Norwich.

Perraud has often found a scoring touch with his previous sides, netting three with Stade Brest last campaign and five in his last French second division season.