Claude Puel believes Manolo Gabbiadini and Dusan Tadic proved they can be a deadly pairing for Saints.

Puel changed formation for the trip to Sunderland after seeing the Serbian link-up well with the new £14m Italian striker in training.

He went to a 4-2-3-1 with Tadic given license to play in the hole while Gabbiadini led the line, and it worked as Saints recorded their biggest win under Puel as they handed out a 4-0 hammering to Sunderland.

Now Puel is purring over a key new partnership for his side.

He said: “It is always to give solution for the players to try something and it was important to find a good confidence and a good balance on the play and to try to put some players also in good positions like Dusan.

“I prefer Dusan in this position because we saw the training session this week and it work very well and he comes back with a good spirit and attitude and quality and he can be the difference.

“It was important to confirm this on the pitch and it was very interesting.

“Gabbiadini gives a solution, a technical player, solution between the lines, and then they can have a good relationship and I think it’s important.

“After it was important to find a good balance to play and recover the ball together.

“It was not just the system but a possibility for more opportunities for some play and the best positions.

“The difference was the attitude for this game.

“It was a difficult game against a difficult opponent and of course I am happy to see my players on this level and this quality and now it’s important to continue but it is the first game of this cycle.”

Gabbiadini’s first half double made it three goals in just two games as his dramatic introduction to life at Saints continued apace.

The January signing from Napoli is proving an inspired piece of business and Puel is happy not only with his goals but the fresh options he offers his side.

“It is a very good start of course with three goals in two games,” admitted Puel.

“He is a technical player who can get between the lines because of his quality, good control, good pass, and that is very important for me.

“We try to play good football and start behind and this player was important to give the quality and didn’t lose the ball.

“It gives a good solution behind the lines, behind the defenders, and we saw this on his goal.

“To shoot and to dribble is quality and also for Shane all this gives confidence for all the team and all the strikers.”