A scrappy win to get things going
For neutral fans, this may well have been the dullest game since the new season started. However, it will be just what is needed to get Saints moving in the right direction.
The 90 minutes saw just three shots on target, with Saints’ only one being Danny Ings’ match-winning goal. This was clearly not a game where the attacking play won out but proved that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side can battle hard to get the Premier League points they need – giving Burnley some of their own medicine in the process.
Three straight defeats to start 2020/21 saw a team looking a shadow of their former selves but this response was just what was needed.
Confidence should grow now that the first win of the new campaign has been confirmed and next Sunday’s meeting with West Brom can be looked forward to.