Koeman picks out most important games of the season

Speaking at the club’s Player Awards night last week, chairman Ralph Krueger said the win at the Boleyn Ground was a huge factor in the club’s success this campaign.

Koeman agreed, believing the football played against the Hammers said a lot about the way his squad would continue to play throughout the season.

“It was the first victory in the season before international duty,” Koeman told youtube.com/southamptonfc.

“The way how we beat West Ham United was very good. We played good football, offensive football and created chances and scored.

“That was a good lift to continue after the international break.”

Koeman was full of praise for the win against Manchester United at Old Trafford, but also felt that whole week was vital, with further victories against Ipswich Town and Newcastle United.

The Saints boss added: “That was special. It was well deserved, even more after the defeat against them at home.

“It was a great performance because you always have stadiums, but stadiums like Old Trafford are special with 76,000 people and 3,000 supporting Southampton.

“To show really that quality what we had in the team that afternoon was amazing. 27 years it had not happened. It was a great afternoon.

“That whole week was amazing. The win against United, we played the replay against Ipswich and finally to finish that week with the win against Newcastle.”

The victories at home to the Magpies and Sunderland stand out as Koeman’s favourite games at St Mary’s this season.

“The 4-0 win against Newcastle was very good, but the 8-0 against Sunderland was an amazing, amazing afternoon,” Koeman added.

“A lot of mistakes but good football, creating a lot of chances and really to score until the last second goals what we like to score. That was a great afternoon.

“8-0 you expect in the Dutch league maybe, not in the Premier League. Normally there is not so much difference between clubs in the Premier League. That afternoon was amazing.”