KYLE Walker-Peters has insisted Saints kept Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo “as quiet as we could” as the forward’s barren run continued.

The Portuguese phenomenon had an early effort cleared off the line by the impressive Romain Perraud to keep the scores level, after he had rounded Fraser Forster in net.

The 37-year-old then put one on a plate for Paul Pogba but he was offside himself before receiving the ball, and he had a headed goal of his own ruled out in the second-half thanks to a disciplined defensive line by Saints.

So even in a game where he was kept quiet by the Saints defence during the 1-1 draw, the former Real Madrid and Juventus icon was busy.

Daily Echo: Ralph Hasenhuttl and Cristiano Ronaldo at full-time (Pic: PA)Ralph Hasenhuttl and Cristiano Ronaldo at full-time (Pic: PA)

However, his run of games without a goal for club extended to six – the longest Ronaldo run without a notch in 13 years – but it would have also provided a good education to Saints’ young defenders, who are only getting better and better with every match they play.

“I think he has proven over however many years that he is one of the best ever,” Walker-Peters admitted, speaking to the Daily Echo after the match.

“Today, you can see how clever he is. Even when the ball is not near him you can see that he is moving, he is sniffing around to get a chance.

“I thought we combated that well today, like you said he had a few chances but he didn’t score so we kept him as quiet as we could and we are happy with the result.”

The result not only meant that Saints had avoided defeat in all four of the matches this season versus Manchester opposition, with four draws, but that their Premier League unbeaten run extended to three.

Daily Echo: Kyle Walker-Peters also scored in the FA Cup clash with Coventry City last weekend (Pic: PA)Kyle Walker-Peters also scored in the FA Cup clash with Coventry City last weekend (Pic: PA)

Those three also included Pep Guardiola’s City and an historic 3-2 win over Walker-Peters’ former side Tottenham Hotspur midweek, twice coming from behind in the capital.

It sees Saints rise as high as 10th in the Premier League, although teams below them could catch up with games in hand, and leaves Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side with every confidence going forward.

“It’s a really good result for us, taking four points from this week is really good,” Walker-Peters added.

“We are showing in our performances that we can compete with the top teams, I think it is credit to everyone, the staff and the players, everyone has worked really hard to get these results.

“Everyone has showed that they are capable of playing in their position and have always been ready. As a collective, we do deserve what we are getting.”