Claude Puel was relieved to end his wait for a first Premier League win as Southampton manager after beating Swansea City 1-0 at St. Mary's on Sunday.
Charlie Austin came off the bench to secure victory and lift Saints out of the bottom three.
"I think it was a very good performance, because it was a difficult game," Puel told Southampton's official website.
"We had many situations where we didn't score and it was important to keep the good attitude, to keep the good spirit and to continue the work and to play good football.
"I said congratulations after the game to my players, because to win this game with things going against us was very difficult, and sometimes also the decision of the referee was contrary, and it's a very good win together. For the future it will be important."
Puel made six changes from the side that beat Sparta Prague 3-0 in the Europa League and left Jay Rodriguez and James Ward-Prowse out of his squad altogether.
"Jay has a little injury and we're going to look at this tomorrow and James was the player off for the day, for recovery," Puel said. "It's important to keep all the players with good possibilities and good energy to play."