Premier League: Ronald Koeman full of praise for Southampton after convincing win over Everton

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman praised his side's "unbelievable" spirit after they brought the club's worst losing streak of the 21st century to a comprehensive end with a 3-0 demolition of Everton.

Tuesday's Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield United was Saints' fifth straight loss, but goals from Graziano Pelle and Maya Yoshida followed a Romelu Lukaku own goal helped them claim their first win since November 8 in style.

"We were very disappointed about last Tuesday," said Koeman. "Then always the answer is on the pitch and we had a great, unbelievable spirit.

"We changed the system and it's always important if you change the system the players need to be comfortable in that system.

"We spoke about that and had two sessions to do that in a different way and we had a good organisation.

"I think they key to winning was winning the battles in midfield. Harry Reed was outstanding. He was showing with a lot of energy and you need that to play and to have the best of yourself.

"Normally you have the luck on your side. Maybe we got a little bit lucky (with) the first goal but in the second half we controlled the game, they didn't create a lot. Fraser (Forster) had two fantastic saves in the last 15 minutes.

"The team was outstanding and the team was the key to winning the game."