Claude Puel's side bounced back from their heartbreaking defeat in the EFL Cup Final last week to put four past Watford at Vicarage Road to send the Saints into the top half of the table.
Strikes from Dusan Tadic and Nathan Redmond completed the first half comeback after falling behind early in the game to a Troy Deeney volley.
Stefano Okaka looked to have rescued a point for the home sidebefore Manolo Gabbiadini pounced on a defensive error torestore the lead for the Saints.
Reflecting on his side's display at Vicarage Road, Puel toldSky Sportsafter the game:"Perfect? I don't know. I'm not happy for their third goal. We can defend better but of course it's a good result after a big disappointment with the final.
"It was important to come back with a good spirit and attitude and I am happy for the players and the fans.
"We knew it was important to give a good answer, and the performance was good after three or four difficult days for us.
Manolo Gabbiadini has become the 1st Southampton player to score in his first 3 Premier League appearances for the club #PL pic.twitter.com/h37c7dcxmo
"We went down after a few minutes and it was difficult to make a start, but we did well to come back.
"We tried to play football and make it difficult for them. Our goals were fantastic, it was good football and I like this. It's important to continue this work."
Nathan Redmond vs Watford:
- 55 touches
- 5 successful take-ons
- 5 key passes
- 3 shots
- 2 goals
Man of the Match #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/eA8pS4jwCm
With the victory pushing Southampton into the top half of the table, Puel took the time to vent his frustration with the long periods of resthis side'sfixture schedule.
He added:"it's difficult to see the future. This result today was very important. A great result away which puts us in a good position in the table.
"I am happy for this and we will see if we can continue this work. After two weeks we play Tottenham and then there's another two weeks with an international break which makes it difficult."