SAINTS captain James Ward-Prowse labelled the last week “season-changing” and insisted manager Nathan Jones’s enthusiasm is rubbing off onto the players.

The skipper was a main character in a stunning eight days for Saints, which saw FA Cup and EFL Cup progression and the first Premier League win since October.

Ward-Prowse scored twice at Goodison Park on Saturday, including a slick skill and finish and another direct free-kick, for a first win at the ground since 1997.

Saturday’s brace in a 2-1 victory meant the 28-year-old, who has been deployed in an advanced midfield role, has five goals in his last six games under manager Jones.

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Speaking to the Daily Echo from outside the changing rooms at Goodison Park, Ward-Prowse credited Jones for the lift he has given him and the group.

Daily Echo:

“It’s been a season-changing week in many ways,” Ward-Prowse said, minutes after being filmed pushing Jones towards the travelling contingent to receive adoration.

“Everyone is so pleased for the manager because he has come into a team that was low on confidence.

“A little bit of lost identity and a young squad at that, but he has got us going in the right direction and we’re starting to embody his energy, passion and enthusiasm. You can see on the sidelines the way he is, and that rubs off onto us as players.”

He added: “I think the fans are seeing that. It’s always hard to come in and change things straight away because the squad we have is young and probably inexperienced in many ways.

“To be down the bottom of the league and take on that challenge is difficult, but he has us pulling in the right direction and everybody is running and putting in that extra effort for him.

“There’s never that to be considered because the group we have got is honest and hardworking, and you saw that at Everton.  

“The main thing is that we’re transferring what we’re doing on the training pitches into matches, and it will take time and has taken time, but I feel we’ve definitely turned a corner.”

After Everton’s Amadou Onana had opened the scoring with a header before the break, Saints had to wrestle back control from a team supported by a ferocious crowd in unusual conditions.

Goodison Park was illustrated by banners in protest of the owners, while a sit-in protest among the supporters was scheduled for full-time and the board of directors had been told not to attend on safety grounds.

Daily Echo:

But in coming from behind, Saints did so for the first time when trailing at half-time in an away Premier League fixture for the first time since New Year’s Day 2002 (vs Chelsea).

“We’re over the moon, it was a massive week for the club to progress in both cup competitions and give ourselves rebuilt faith to climb back up the table. Really, really important," Ward-Prowse continued. 

“It’s difficult for Everton at the moment and it’s a shame to see because they’re a fantastic club with a great fanbase and they make it an amazing place to come and play football.

“We knew it would be difficult in that sense, but the focus for us was purely on ourselves and what we could do to win the game.”

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