Five things we learned from Southampton v Everton

The victory saw them move three points clear of the relegation zone with a run of winnable fixtures against Crystal Palace, Burnley and Cardiff coming up.

Here are five things we learned from the game:

1. James Ward-Prowse has found another gear:

James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond celebrate Saints' second goal

Ward-Prowse scored a spectacular goal to give Saints the lead yesterday, and since coming back into the side for the game against Manchester City last month, he hasn’t stopped improving.

The midfielder has now scored in his last two Premier League games, which is the first time he’s managed that in his Saints career.

There is an added physicality to the 24-year-old’s game and Hasenhuttl is clearly getting the best out of him.

If Ward-Prowse can continue developing under the Austrian, then he could be in for a sustained run in the team.

2. Saints have had an eight-point swing:

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl after beating Everton

When Ralph Hasenhuttl took over at Saints, they were five points behind Cardiff after his first game.

Seven matches later and they are now three points clear of Neil Warnock’s team.

It’s been a remarkable turnaround which has consisted of four victories, two defeats and a draw against Chelsea.

This has taken them to 15th in the table, which didn’t seem possible just over a month ago.

If they can pick up some results in their next few matches then they can begin to look up the league as opposed to over their shoulder.

3. Jan Bednarek continues to prove Mark Hughes wrong:

Jan Bednarek and Hasenhuttl embrace each other

With every game that Bednarek plays, you wonder what on earth Hughes didn’t see in the defender.

The Polish international didn’t give Everton’s £50m man, Richarlison, a sniff during the match which eventually saw Marco Silva take the front man off.

Bednarek also made the key block on Ademola Lookman’s shot in the first half to deflect it wide of the goal.

The more he plays, the better he seems to get. The 22-year-old has copious amounts of potential, and in Hasenhuttl, has a manager that will get the best out of him.

4. Oriol Romeu is back doing what he does best:

Oriol Romeu

This was another performance from the Spaniard that underlined his importance to the Saints team.

It’s easy to lose count just how many times the defensive midfielder wins back possession for the St Mary’s side.

Whenever Everton looked like they were about to build something of note, Romeu was on hand to put a halt to it.

He’s another player who was exiled by Hughes, and like Bednarek, he is making that decision look more ridiculous with every match that passes.

5. Saints have earned their break:

A selection of players applaud the fans following yesterday's victory

The final whistle yesterday signalled the end of Saints’ hectic run of matches.

Since the turn of the year, they’ve played Chelsea, Derby [twice], Leicester and Everton in less than three weeks.

This will no doubt have taken its toll on their bodies, so the break they’ll have between now and the Crystal Palace game should prove to be invaluable.

It gives them the time to not only recover, but to come up with a tactical plan that could see them make it three Premier League wins in a row.