Perraud: We can dream

That was the message from Romain Perraud after Southampton again reached the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup, as they beat West Ham 3-1 at St Mary's.

Perraud's sensational first-half goal set Saints on the way to success in the fifth-round tie, with James Ward-Prowse's penalty and Armando Broja's late solo effort sealing the victory after Michail Antonio had equalised on the hour mark.

It leaves Ralph Hasenhüttl's team waiting with anticipation on Thursday night's quarter-final draw, with Perraud encapsulating the excitement that is building.

"For us, I think we can dream," he said. "I hope we will play in St Mary's in the next round, because the fans were amazing tonight again. At home we are stronger and we have to continue like this, but we have to dream."

That was also the word Perraud used to describe his first goal for the club, as he netted a phenomenal long-range strike that arrowed into the far top corner.

"Amazing, amazing," he said, smiling. "For me, it's like a dream. For me, when I was young, I watched so many games of the Premier League and FA Cup, and the sensation when you score is unbelievable.

"It's my first goal for the Saints, so I am very happy tonight. But I don't think my goal changed the game, because after that they scored, but we kept going and it was very good for us I think. Now we are in the last eight and everything is possible."