MANAGER Ralph Hasenhuttl insisted firing frontman Adam Armstrong could “immediately” help Saints’ goal tally, after he opened his account the for the club at the first attempt.

The former Newcastle and Blackburn man opened the scoring for the visitors after 22 minutes at Goodison Park, having slotted into the top corner when one-on-one with Jordan Pickford.

Armstrong showed his electric pace to run in on goal after Che Adams had picked the pocket of Michael Keane – the goal putting Saints 1-0 up.

The 24-year-old’s strike came against manager Rafa Benitez – the man who sold him to Blackburn from Newcastle.

Goals from Richarlison, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw the hosts roar back to seal a 3-1 victory but Hasenhuttl was happy with the impact of his new striker.

“I think it was a very good first game for him,” the Saints boss said post-match. “He showed immediately that he is good in the game and he’s quick.

“He can go in behind with a low centre-of-gravity.

“I think we have a new striker who can score goals. This is good.”