James Ward-Prowse technique is gorgeous, says Ralph Hasenhuttl

Ralph Hasenhuttl hailed James Ward-Prowse's "gorgeous" technique after his free-kick gave Southampton a vital 2-1 win over Tottenham.

Saints found themselves 1-0 down at half-time after Harry Kane's opener, but Yan Valery's equaliser and Ward-Prowse's superb late free-kick gave Hasenhuttl's side a fine victory.

Hasenhuttl said the free-kick was "unbelievable", and said the position was perhaps even more difficult than Ward-Prowse's similar free-kick against Manchester United last week.

As it happened at St Mary's
Match report

He told Sky Sports: "The second goal was unbelievable. I think maybe closer than last week, maybe more difficult, but his technique is gorgeous.

"It's not so nice for the 'keeper to stand there while Prowsey steps up to take a free-kick, but he made a fantastic game, he was everywhere fighting for every ball. To decide this game is fantastic for him."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

With Cardiff beating West Ham, Southampton looked to be heading into the relegation zone before the late comeback, and Hasenhuttl said his side was aiming for a point minimum from the game at St Mary's.

"We knew that we need to take a point minimum today, that we take three is amazing. If you see all the opponents at the bottom were winning their games.

"It's a tough race, and for us it's an important step. We have three weeks and no game, and we are above the line, and can work with a good game in our mind."

Hasenhuttl felt his players used the disappointment of last weekend's late 3-2 loss at Manchester United to secure a significant step towards safety.

"The good thing was we were only one goal down, that gave us the chance to change a few things and to force a little nervousness and put them out of their comfort zone because Tottenham were amazing [in the first half].

"We lost against Man United after a really sensational game we played there. And we only earned warm words and I said to them we want to earn more than only warm words, we want to earn points.

"That's what the crowd felt in the second half, that there's a team on the pitch fighting for every point and that was a moment to celebrate with them but also to tell them that it's only one step, a big one maybe.

"But, as you see with the other results, we have still wins to take and a long way to go."

Play Super 6

Predict 6 correct scores for your chance to win £250K.