Ryan Bertrand said that Saints got their reward for keeping the faith and refusing to panic in the face of stern resistance from Leicester.

The Foxes looked for a long time as if they might grind out a surprise result at St Mary’s yesterday, only for their defence to finally be breached with 15 minutes left, as Ronald Koeman’s side went on to earn a 2-0 win.

“We stuck with it, we kept the faith,” said left-back Bertrand, who was again outstanding.

“It probably wasn’t the most fluid display from the attacking sense.

“We perhaps lacked a little bit in there first-half, but, as the team does, we made a fantastic substitution, and it showed that strength in depth.”

The on-loan Chelsea defender also praised the contribution of Long, who scored both goals – his first Premier League strikes for Saints, following a £12m move from Hull in the summer.

“He’s done very well, and that’s what we need,” said Bertrand.

“We need everyone ready to come in and affect the game sometimes, and Longy’s done fantastic for us here and has done on the other games he’s played.

“It’s good he’s scored the goals and the added confidence that will bring him will spread throughout the team.”