RALPH Hasenhuttl laughed as he revealed how Moi Elyounoussi “came and told me I was wrong” after he scored from outside the area with his weak foot in the 3-2 win at West Ham.

The Norwegian midfielder opened the scoring at London Stadium within eight minutes of the Boxing Day contest kicking off, finishing from the edge of the box with his weak foot after Kyle Walker-Peters had laid one on for him.

Elyounoussi, who is enjoying his best Saints season following two years with Scottish side Celtic, having made 14 league appearances and scoring twice, was tasked with a different role again at London Stadium.

Hasenhuttl opted to play the winger in a central midfield position alongside James Ward-Prowse – in a 4-1-4-1 – just like he did last time Saints faced Hammers (0-0) in September.

For the last two seasons, few Saints supporters would have imagined Elyounoussi kicking a ball for the St Mary’s outfit again – let alone playing as a central midfielder alongside the skipper.

But the Morocco-born 27-year-old was impressive, and Hasenhuttl explained what traits he liked about him in that role.

“Normally his patience on the ball,” Hasenhuttl said. “He has also a good finish outside the box.”

The boss quipped: “I said that he could never score from outside the box on his left foot and after the game he came to me and told me I was wrong.

“I like to be wrong in this way. But no, fantastic, congrats - a good goal and a good performance.”

Elyounoussi has been relatively prolific on the international stage with Norway, scoring nine in 39 matches. 

A new Saints contract would have seemed a world away before, but his current deal expires in summer 2023.

With his renewed status in the squad, is he doing enough to earn renewed terms?