Wednesday 13 January 2016 22:49, UK
Ronald Koeman was delighted with Southampton's dominant display in their 2-0 Premier League victory over Watford on Wednesday night.
Goals from Shane Long and Dusan Tadic earned the Saints just their second win in 11 games as Koeman's side restricted Watford's impressive attack to a single shot on target at St Mary's.
Long headed Southampton in front after 17 minutes, but the home side wasted several good opportunities to make the game safe before Tadic's low finish put the result beyond the Hornets with just under 20 minutes to play.
"From the start, we dominated," Koeman said. "It was a great first goal from Shane Long but the problem was we didn't score a second one before half-time.
"That would have made the game a little easier but even after half-time, we had a control of the game. We had some more great opportunities and the second goal makes things a little bit easier.
"A second goal gives you that confidence that you can be patient, but the message at half-time was to go on like this and play to score a second one, because then the game normally is over.
"We scored the second, and we should have scored more today. We created a lot of chances but the whole team performance was very good."
Koeman made five changes from the defeat by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup, welcoming back goalkeeper Fraser Forster after nine months out with a knee injury, while top scorer Graziano Pelle returned to the Saints bench.
It was a quiet night for Forster, who was not called upon until Craig Cathcart's strike from distance with five minutes remaining, and the good news continued for the Saints as Pelle made a late cameo.
"We have a strong squad, and we have some competition," Koeman added. "We've played a lot and sometimes you need fresh people on the pitch, and that means we are strong.
"They [Pelle and Forster] are very good players and they bring a level to the team. When you're a goalkeeper who has been out for nine months, you start in a difficult situation, but you win and you keep a clean sheet, that's amazing."
