PAUL JONES hopes his heroics in the Southampton goal yesterday have won him a place in the FA Cup final team to face Arsenal.

The Welshman was in inspired form to shut out numerous Manchester City attempts on goal as Saints won the last ever game at Maine Road 1-0 to secure an excellent final Premiership position of eighth.

With Antti Niemi expected to recover from a knee injury in time for Saturday's Millennium Stadium clash, Jones said: "That's put the cat among the pigeons for next week and obviously that was my aim, as it is in every game.

"But I suppose it was perfect timing as it was probably my best club display of the season, although my best overall was Wales against Italy.

"I might have ruined the party for City but I don't feel guilty, because I was looking after myself and it has given me a boost for next week if I get a chance.

"I've proved to the gaffer that I'm ready if he needs me. I've just gone out to make sure I'm in the picture.

"I stopped three or four from Nicolas Anelka and a couple from Robbie Fowler. I know him well, I know he is not the type of player to lash it - he will often try and lift it over you.

"That's what I went for and fortunately I was right."

A clean sheet completed a roller-coaster week for Jones, after conceding six on Wednes-day night at the hands of a rampant Jermaine Pennant and Robert Pires at Highbury.

He said: "We let ourselves down against Arsenal in midweek so it was great to finish with a win - we would have been very flat had we lost."