The head coach has insisted the results would start to match the performances having seen his side just fall short in claiming all three points in recent weeks, so he was happy that his players were able to hold on for their first top-flight victory in more than 150 days.
On getting off the mark
“We are happy with both situations; with the performance and with the result. First-half, we did very good, we scored our goal and we had one or two chances to score more goals. Second-half, it was a little bit balanced. Southampton are very hard to play and they come away with everything, every time, the aerial duels, but we were brave and we took good chances in good transitions, so I’m happy with the performance and happy with three points.
“In the end, we just need to bring the result. So today, we are happy but now we need time to work because we are putting players in as soon as they come in.
“Today, Sasa [Kalajdzic] he played the first 45 minutes, after he felt a pain on his knee, nothing special, but we felt we should take him off and because we didn’t have Raul [Jimenez] on the bench, we changed for Guedes. We are doing everything we can in this moment, and the good things are coming.”
On the fans’ support
“These three points go straight to the fans because we started the game and they were singing. I said to the players before the game that the good energy comes from the fans. They are out there again and they give everything.
“They supported us, they supported the players, and that’s why I was there at the end of the game to thank all the support they gave us. They are happy with our performance, they are happy with the way the players are playing and it was just a question of brining results.”
On Southampton hitting the crossbar
“It’s part of football. I don’t believe in luck, because three days ago, we didn’t have any luck against Bournemouth, against Newcastle, they scored one goal in that way, and I think in the end, what we did since the first minute, we deserved the three points.”
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On first league win in 154 days
“What is most important is the performance like we did today and since we started the Premier League. I’m not counting that, but in the same way, I don’t count how many times in my career that I’ve broken good record.
“I’ve broken them here a good record on away victories with nine in the Premier League, so it’s important for us, but what’s most important is what we’re doing in each moment. In this moment, players are coming, we don’t have time for training, and have to put straight to the games.
“We try our best to have our best strategy and it’s a question of scoring goals. Today we scored one goal and after we were very brave to defend, especially in the last minute. It’s one victory. We know what potential we have and now it’s time to work.
“We have one week to work and we need to take all the minutes to work with the players. Matheus [Nunes], Guedes and Sasa have now had more minutes in games than in training, so we need to practice, we need time to practice, because we didn’t have this chance in pre-season.”
On Jimenez being taken off the bench
“Raul was fatigued. It’s just where we are the beginning of the season. He didn’t do a pre-season and missed three games. He came back and played Preston after two days, Newcastle and then Bournemouth, so it was a little bit of fatigue and after we tested him, he was unable to run, so we preferred to go with the other boys, with Guedes or Hwang if we needed it.
“If he had a proper pre-season he would have been able to play like that no problem, but without a pre-season, today, it was impossible for him to run. Instead of that, we started with Sasa, he did a good 45 minutes, and then Guedes also, he fought for the team.”
