RALPH Hasenhuttl was delighted to see Saints become “a more competitive side” after some returning stars helped seal a 2-0 victory at Sheffield United.

The St Mary’s outfit struck via James Ward-Prowse penalty in South Yorkshire before Che Adams’s rocket of a volley doubled the advantage.

Hasenhuttl had the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters, Ibrahima Diallo and Takumi Minamino to call on from the start, after they recovered from injury to feature at Bramall Lane.

And he was pleased to see his returning stars make an impact in helping get the club back to winning ways.

The Austrian boss said: “We knew that this was an important game for us. We hadn’t won for a long time.

“It was the first time in a long time that we had every player in the positions we play.

“We played much better than in the past because we had a better side.”

Victory earned Saints their first win in the league since early January.

Asked whether the success came with a sense of relief, Hasenhuttl replied: “It’s important for sure. It gives you the belief.

“I didn’t believe that it is so different when you have a few players back and then every player plays in the perfect position.

“Ibra in the six again, Stuey (Armstrong) as a 10, Kyle was the right back. This is a different side, this is what we have seen the whole season.

“There must be a reason why we have taken 30 points in the first half. Now because all the players are out, we didn’t take any.

“But it’s good that they are back and we are a more competitive side.”