Puel: Important three points

Charlie Austin’s early goal was enough to take all three points as Saints moved up to tenth in the Premier League table.

Puel’s was pleased not only for his squad of players, but for the supporters as well, following on from Thursday’s Europa League defeat in Prague.

“It was important because we like points in the Premier League and it was important to take three points today,” he said.

“And it was important for the solidarity and the character. It was a good attitude to give a good answer for all the squad and I think the three points were very important.

“It was important to see my players playing football with a good spirit and quality, they gave all the possibilities to keep this result at the end with a lot of players and I took pleasure from this today and I think the fans also were fantastic with this display and this spirit.”

IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SEE MY PLAYERS PLAYING FOOTBALL WITH A GOOD SPIRIT AND QUALITY.

CLAUDE PUEL
SOUTHAMPTON MANAGER

The high level of spirit and intensity from the first whistle seemed to set the tone for his side, and Puel was pleased to see the performance earn its reward against an Everton side which was restricted by a resolute display from the home side.

“The players played with good action and good football and I think today we deserved other goals, but the win today is enough,” he said.

“It was a strong intensity and it came from concentration of all the players also the implication to turn the team to start that way in every game. 

“It is not possible to give this intensity with the same players that played against Sparta, for example, but it’s important to continue this work with other programmes we can do a very good game. It’s important now to recover and prepare for the game against Arsenal, but it is easier with a win of course.”