Saturday 8 April 2017 18:34, UK
Southampton boss Claude Puel hailed the "character, spirit and attitude" of his side after they held off a late West Brom onslaught at the Hawthorns.
Jordy Clasie scored the only goal of the game as the Saints claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win against the Baggies.
Fraser Forster produced a number of key saves in the closing stages to protect the slender one-goal advantage and Puel was pleased with the defensive commitment shown by his under-strength side.
"We had a fantastic first half but with just one goal. Afterwards in the second half it was very difficult because it was always long balls and direct play from West Brom," he said.
"With all their free-kicks it was difficult to defend. We resisted very well, with Fraser, and I think it is a good reward for all - a clean sheet against West Brom.
"It's perfect because before the game they had scored 19 goals from free-kicks and it's a good challenge, a good success [for us] here."
Southampton fielded an unfamiliar midfield pairing of Clasie and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, with Steven Davis injured and Oriol Romeu suspended for the match.
Clasie capped a fine performance with a superb strike from outside the box, while Puel was also impressed with Hojbjerg's combative approach.
"It was a good game for Clasie and Hojbjerg also. They stayed serious, with conviction, with quality in training and when they heard of the possibility to play they kept their level," Puel said.
"This is important, the squad is fantastic. You can see this today because it was good intensity and quality in the first half and character, spirit and attitude in the second half to resist and keep the three points. It is fantastic."
Southampton are now just four points behind West Brom in the race for eighth place and Puel insists it is important his team maintain their focus as the season draws to a close.
"It is important to take every game step by step," he said. "The next game, for example, against Manchester City will be very difficult.
"But it will be a strong challenge, interesting for this young team and we learn every time. Together, it was a good response after the [EFL Cup] Final.
"It is a good thing because it is important to keep good ambitions until the end of the season."
