Ralph Hasenhüttl felt Southampton’s second successive Premier League victory – achieved 21 days after the first – was the product of passion and patience at Brighton.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg scored the only goal of the game in the 53rd minute at the Amex Stadium, where Saints restricted their hosts to just a solitary shot on target that arrived five minutes from time.
The result lifts Hasenhüttl’s team level on points with the Seagulls and five clear of the relegation zone.
“It was a big performance and massive win for us,” said the boss.
“I think we had a good balance – you could see in the last three weeks we were working on a new shape and I think it was good that we proved we can also play with a back four. Maybe it was a little bit surprising for the opponent.
“We had passion and patience. The goal we scored was through patience – we were waiting for this moment.
“They were building up, we won the ball and had a very good transition forward. It was a fantastic goal.
“It was a good deep run and the perfect moment when he (Højbjerg) got the ball, and good coolness to finish the action. It was the perfect situation.
“A clean sheet was important and the work against the ball was the basic to this win. Brighton did not have a lot of chances – we also didn’t have much, but we had a few.
“At one time we were lucky, with the ball against the bar, but overall I think we deserved to win.
“We know it’s always a tight game in the Premier League, but our supporters were fabulous and pushed us. In the end, to celebrate together was fantastic.”
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