SAINTS captain James Ward-Prowse has had his say on his chase for the Premier League free-kick crown, as he moved to just one behind David Beckham on Saturday.

After Stuart Armstrong was brought down on the stroke of half time, Ward-Prowse stepped up at Stamford Bridge to give Saints a 1-0 lead, an advantage they never let slip en-route to three massive points.

The victory is just Saints’ second of 2023 and the first under interim boss Ruben Selles following Nathan Jones’s sacking last weekend.

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Inspired by more brilliance from Ward-Prowse, the Saints leader is now on 17 free-kick goals in the Premier League, one off of Beckham’s long-standing record.

And asked about the chase following Saturday’s win, Ward-Prowse told the Daily Echo: “I’m feeling good! 

“I think I’m more focused at the minute on them (the free-kicks) contributing towards winning games and points. But if the record comes, then great. It’s in the back of my mind but I’m more focused on the team’s performance at the minute. 

"I think Beckham’s (all-time career) record is something stupid, I think he’s got about 60-70 or maybe even 80 in his career. So I’m way off it but if I can get the Premier League one, then great.”

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Meanwhile, speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Ward-Prowse added: "It's an amazing feeling. I've scored better goals than that one, but I was pleased to see it go in.

"It's good for me to know that with any skill in life, if you work hard for it, you can perfect it. When I was a kid doing this in my parents' garden, this was what I dreamed of doing. It is great to do it today."

Sitting on three free-kick strikes for the league campaign - and eight total goals in all competitions - Ward-Prowse has 15 games left to break Beckham’s record this season.