HULL City boss Liam Rosenior labelled Russell Martin and the Saints squad as "outstanding" and believes there is "every chance" they are promoted.
Anass Zaroury and Fabio Carvalho's first-half goals were enough to earn all three points for Rosenior's play-off chasing side - and dent Southampton's promotion hopes.
Joe Aribo scored late to give the hosts hope but Hull were fully deserving of the three points to make it four away wins in a row for the Tigers.
Speaking after the game, Rosenior paid tribute to his side while also backing Martin and Saints for promotion to the Premier League.
He told the Daily Echo: "I believe in trying to be dominant against whoever you play against. It takes risk.
We could have come here and lost 5-0 playing like that. You could come here and lose 2-0 and not have a kick of the ball because Southampton are so good.
"I want my players to take the ball, I want them to play out. I want us to be a dominant team. So, for me, it is pleasing when it comes off. But there will be days when it doesn’t.
“I think Russell (Martin) is an outstanding manager. He has done an incredible job there. Some of the football that Southampton play is magnificent.
"Every manager has their own way. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t."
Saints would have gone up to second in the Championship with a win but were instead second-best to Rosenior's men on the night.
Instead, Martin's side have dropped to fourth in the table behind Ipswich Town, who won a dramatic encounter 4-3 against Rotherham United.
Despite the ever-changing landscape of the promotion race, Rosenior believes the south coast side still have a good chance of automatic promotion.
The 39 year old added: "There’s every chance of them going up automatically.
"They’ve got an outstanding manager and an outstanding squad. He’s a manager who I really respect.”
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