SAINTS have got the monkey off their back and recorded their first three points of the Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Everton.

It gives Russell Martin more evidence of the good work he believes his charges have already done without reward this campaign.

The victory also takes Saints off the bottom of the table ahead of their trip to Wolves on Saturday, who they leapfrogged in the process.

READ MORE: Verdict: Saints have not ‘cracked it’ but they have one thing they lacked

These are the biggest talking points from Saturday's much-needed result... 

Is another great escape possible?

Saints celebrate Adam Armstrong's crucial goalSaints celebrate Adam Armstrong's crucial goal (Image: Stuart Martin)

Saints took 10 matches to win their first match in the 1998/99 season, and at this stage, they only had one more point than Martin's side.

Saints never went higher than 17th that campaign and spent 35 of the 38 match days in the bottom three before finishing five points clear of the drop

Matt Le Tissier and Egil Ostenstad finished as the club's top scorers with seven each but James Beattie, Chris Marsden and Marian Pahars contributed.

Fans might not have the same belief as they did in the '90s but two other teams are still winless and Saints are only three points off of 17th.

Saints averaged nearly 1.3 points per game from here in '98/99 and have set the blueprint for Martin. They will remain hot favourites for the drop.

Ramsdale deserves his first Saints clean sheet

Aaron Ramsdale has his first clean sheet for the clubAaron Ramsdale has his first clean sheet for the club (Image: PA)

Aaron Ramsdale had conceded a remarkably unfortunate 19 goals in eight matches to start his Saints career - not a lot of them could be blamed on him.

Manager Martin admits he is still surprised they managed to sign the Arsenal goalkeeper, who has won five caps for England at 26 years old.

He must have started Ramsdale against Championship Stoke City in the midweek cup match but he did not deserve the clean sheet in that one either. 

But it was his heroics that kept Everton out and provided the foundation for three points. It will be a solid confidence boost for the "big character".

Ramsdale heads to the Molineux up next as a big West Brom fan and he will expect a hostile welcome after winding up the Wolves support in previous seasons.

Does Martin finally know his favourite starting team?

Russell Martin is looking to extend his stay at the clubRussell Martin is looking to extend his stay at the club (Image: Stuart Martin)

At 1:45pm on Saturday, the general consensus was 'What on Earth is that'. In truth, the starting team should have been a shock to nobody.

Adam Armstrong replaced Tyler Dibling in one surprise change, although the 18 year old has played more minutes than any teenager this season.

Seven players have started each of the last four league games, two starters have begun three matches and the remaining two players have done two each.

Captain Jack Stephens and former Swansea City defender Ryan Manning are the most maligned pair but currently serve a strong tactical purpose in the side.

There is consistency in shape and player selection and while this is particularly key given Martin's style of play, any boss needs to know their team. 

READ MOREArmstrong insists Saints need to 'really get going' after 'massive' win

Was the summer recruitment better than initially given credit for? 

Is Mateus Fernandes the Saints signing of the summer?Is Mateus Fernandes the Saints signing of the summer? (Image: Stuart Martin)

A lot of the talk in the wake of the defeat against Leicester City was about whether Southampton's summer recruitment has been good enough.

Under Sport Republic, Saints had a disastrous 2022/23 campaign of signings that eventually led to relegation. January in particular was a total waste.

It is understandable to be cautious. They had to operate under financial constraints again this summer and were unable to sell the players they wanted.

But Mateus Fernandes for £15million is a steal and Cameron Archer for the same price looks good value. Ramsdale remains an impressive coup.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes were key while Yuki Sugawara was £6m. Ben Brereton Diaz is currently a miss but nobody else cost more than £3m.

Will it be enough to beat the drop? That remains to be seen. A lot of the new signings will retain their value or be useful in the next season whatever happens.

The Northam 'Red Wall' breaks their duck

Saints fans celebrate victory in the Premier LeagueSaints fans celebrate victory in the Premier League (Image: Stuart Martin)

Armstrong scored the first goal of last season's Championship campaign and the winner at Wembley in the play-off final.

It was fitting that the 27 year old scored Southampton's first winner this season - and it was the first league goal in front of the new Northam end.

St Mary's underwent significant changes this summer in an attempt to boost the atmosphere, with away fans moving and safe standing installed.

They have not had too much to shout about so far but Armstrong's winner - Southampton's latest in the top flight since 2018 - was something.

It came after the whole stadium had rallied behind Saints in difficult times, with Everton threatening to take a lead, and was a deserved relief.