NATHAN Jones admitted his first Premier League win was a “long time coming” and says Saints are in a “categorically” different position to a week ago.

His side recorded a first win at Goodison Park since 1997 when James Ward-Prowse scored from open play and a direct free-kick to come from behind and win 2-1.

Saints remain bottom of the Premier League on goal difference but have now won three in three in eight days, including FA Cup and EFL Cup ties.

They could be as few as just one point away from safety by the end of the matchday, which marks halfway through the league season exactly.

READ MORE: Stunning Ward-Prowse double secures first Premier League win of Jones era

And asked how his first win at top-flight level feels, Jones responded: “Very good, it’s been a long time coming.

Daily Echo:

“I felt it’s been coming with performance levels, even in the (Nottingham) Forest game (1-0 loss) we didn’t play well but we weren’t under pressure.

“The Fulham game (2-1 loss) we should have gotten something but for a little bit of defensive naivety. We deserved it today. I thought we were tactically excellent today.

“We weren’t really physical so we had to change and go to a back five to curtail the pressure and we went back out there to take the game,” he added.

“We had to keep real pace and aggression and make tactical subs late on. Ibra (Diallo) got booked, so we had to sure things up. With the greatest respect, they went land of the giants at the end so we just had to see it through.

“I don’t think there’s a question over the spirit of the squad, with what we’ve been through. From where we were after the Forest game, to go bang, bang, bang in three games, it shows the character in the staff and players is there.

“We are in a categorically different position to a week ago, but it’s only a small step and we have to build on that.

“We’ve got some exciting games coming up, Aston Villa at home which is a tough, tough game, and then back into cup action with three games in just over a week in which the magnitude is massive.”

With Jones’s side trailing at the break to Amadou Onana’s header, the staff made a few tactical changes including moving Mohammed Salisu to left-back.

“We had to be calculated at half-time, it wasn’t a rant and a rave. We made a few changed and said let’s go after the game,” Jones said.

“Getting a goal back so early really helped us and then we did go after the game, but we had to really defend a bombardment today, we really did.

“They’re massive and Jordan Pickford kicks it miles. I can’t remember many Premier League sides being bigger than them.”

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.