Hasenhüttl hails focused display

Moussa Djenepo’s solo second-half effort made it back-to-back wins on the road for Saints – something which they had not done since March 2017.

And Hasenhüttl was pleased that his side continued the momentum they had before the international break.

“I think it was a very concentrated performance from every player. We had a different shape today again so it’s very interesting to see how quick the guys do what we tell them,” he began.

“I think maybe we surprised them a little bit with the back five in the first-half. We had big chances to score.

“The second-half in the first fifteen minutes was clear that they will adapt the game a little bit and try something new.

“We were a little bit under pressure but in the end, after the goal, we were very calm on the ball, we tried to let them run and this is a step of development I want to see from my players because we have the players that can stay in possession.

“That’s the reason why we do this and I think we did a good job with the ball.”

Not since 1986 had Southampton recorded three straight away victories without conceding, but a resilient showing helped them do just that in the Steel city.

Hasenhüttl added: “That’s important. I think that was the biggest problem last season. This season it’s not the case that we don’t give them any chances, they still have chances because it’s very difficult in the Premier League to not give them a chance.

“Also the goalkeepers Angus and Alex make a good development this season and the back five today were very concentrated.

“Finally you need a bit of luck also, but luck you have to work for and I think in the moment it was a deserved win for us because we worked hard and we believe in what we’re doing.”