James Ward-Prowse praised Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl following their 2-1 victory over Tottenham on Saturday.
The midfielder scored his second free kick in successive league games to complete the comeback for Saints, who fell behind in the first half after Harry Kane gave Spurs the lead.
The away side spurned a host of chances, hitting the post and the bar in the opening 45 minutes, while Angus Gunn produced a fine save to deny Kane from doubling Tottenham’s advantage.
Hasenhuttl made two tactical changes at half time, replacing Oriol Romeu and Charlie Austin, and Ward-Prowse revealed to BBC Sport after the game that the Austrian’s changes at the break changed the game and “epitomised” the Saints boss.
It is hard to put into words, we were lucky to get in at 1-0 at half-time. We changed a few things at the interval and got our rewards at the end. The manager told us to be a bit more aggressive, we sat off them a little in the first half. The second half epitomised everything he has done for us so far.
Ward-Prowse followed up his brilliant free kick against Manchester United last weekend with another stunning set piece to win the game for Saints, and the midfielder believes his hard work practicing from dead ball situations is paying off.
I spend a lot of time practising the free-kicks and thankfully this has contributed to three points today.
Southampton moved two points clear of the relegation zone following the victory, but Cardiff remained within touching distance of Hasenhuttl’s side with a 2-0 win over West Ham.
And Ward-Prowse believes the victory over Spurs makes the relegation battle look “a little better” for Saints.
We have to do our job, Cardiff have done theirs too but the picture looks a little better for us.
