Southampton Boss Claude Puel Happy With 'Important' Win Over Rivals Bournemouth

Southampton manager Claude Puel has conveyed the importance of his side's 3-1 win over South Coast rivals Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

The Saints fell behind after just six minutes, but left-back Ryan Bertrand equalised with an excellent solo effort, before Jay Rodriguez's stunning second half brace secured the three points.

And Puel was keen to point out the magnitude of the victory that saw Southampton rise to seventh in the Premier League standings.

I hope we have regularity in the Premier League because sometimes we can do very good play on the ground without what we deserve" he said, quoted inthe Daily Echo.

I think it was important for this win, to take seven points from nine points, and it's important to continue this work with good spirit and we are on the first part of the table.

It's important to stay here and to progress with all the players in front of us.It's not finished and it's important to continue this work and keep your regularity.�

Puel added that the players are now free to enjoy their Christmas, but insisted that there is more work to do when they return to action on Boxing Day.

It was an important moment, and important time before three days of recovery,� he added.

We can now have a fantastic Christmas with their family and friends and it was important to win and to deserve all the team with a good result and a good game and it's important now to continue this work.�