Thursday 30 October 2014 14:55, UK
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman hailed his side for edging past a determined Stoke City in the Saints' 1-0 win St Mary's.
On the back of an 8-0 demolition of Sunderland last time out, the Saints were expected to easily defeat an inconsistent Stoke side.
While the result doesn't appear to suggest that the hosts did just that, Koeman's men dominated the match without having to overly exert themselves, and the Dutchman admitted he was pleased despite lack of goals.
"It was difficult because we didn't kill the game," Koeman told Sky Sports.
"We created eight good chances and you know if you don't score the second one it's difficult.
"Stoke put everything in, changed the system after an hour and with the physical strength that they have it was difficult.
"Football is strange because the first half was much better than last week. I think it was one of the best first halves of the season.
"In the second half we lost sometimes too easy our position.
"They didn't create a lot, we deserved our win but it was a difficult one, more difficult than last week and maybe more nicer to win like this than last week because the lads showed great character and great ambition again.
"We had a great support of our fans and a great win."
While the scoreline was not as sweet as last week's, it offered match-winner Mane the chance to make up for last week's disappointment.
The Senegalese summer signing thought he had scored the eighth against Sunderland, only for his first goal for Saints to be harshly stripped off him by the Premier League's dubious goals panel.
"I heard it yesterday and I explained to Mane and his reaction was okay," Koeman said.
"Maybe that was the reason he came to the bench and to say this one they will not take it away again.
"He had a great performance - he's fast, he's a good player but his defending attitude is important for the team."
