SAINTS finally conceded after 501 minutes of football - but defensive giants Michael Svensson and Claus Lundekvam were quick to share the praise around for the team's great defensive record.

They have conceded just three goals in their opening six games and Svensson identifies work-rate throughout the entire team as the key factor.

He said: "We were quite busy in defence and had plenty of things to do on Saturday, but I felt we had good control and the strikers up front also worked really hard for us.

"That made it much easier for us and a lot of credit must go to them and the midfield.

"As a defender you always want a clean sheet, so it's little disappointing to concede a goal, but in the end I'm very happy.

"To go 501 minutes without conceding is very difficult and is really fantastic for any defender."

He added: "It's a good win for us, we have got the three points and that is the main thing.

"We have worked really hard, we deserved it."

The 3-1 victory at White Hart Lane has lifted Saints to fourth - their highest ever Premiership position.

Norwegian international Lundekvam has experienced life at the other end of the table and knows better than most that these are special times for Saints.

He said: "To be fourth in the league is fantastic, it's unbelievable for us. But we have just got to keep our heads down and keep working.

"With the squad we have got we deserved to be where we ended up last season.

"And we have taken that forward this season so it's looking very good for us.

"The manager keeps you on your toes even if you are winning. He knows what he wants and if he doesn't get it he won't give up.

"We can see all the improvement in all the lads and the commitment is fantastic, we are playing very well.

"We have all improved - everybody knows what they are doing. The bottom line is that we are a very fit side and extremely hard to beat."

Lundekvam played down the importance of hastening former manager Glenn Hoddle's White Hart Lane departure.

"It doesn't mean too much to the players," he said.

"We approached the game exactly the same as any other, but obviously for the supporters it's nice to beat old managers and they got what they wanted today.

"I've had five managers at Southampton, they are all different and good in their own ways."