Manning: The fast start was massive
Southampton defender Ryan Manning hailed an "all round" performance as Leeds United were beaten 3-1 at St Mary's Stadium.
Saints stormed into an early lead inside two minutes, Adam Armstrong fed through by Kyle Walker-Peters before dinking Illan Meslier.
The hosts made it two and then three before the interval, Kamaldeen Sulemana the orchestrator for both Will Smallbone and Adam Armstrong's second of the afternoon.
For Manning, this was the optimum match-up for his side after a difficult run.
"It was always going to be a tough test, but I think it’s almost the perfect fixture for us. Good team coming to us early kick-off, on Sky, perfect platform for us to go on and put in a performance, which is what we did.
"We worked hard this week, after the Boro result, we came in and had to make the decision to continue the way it was or knuckle down and graft and just work hard, which is what we did.
"The fast start was massive for us. Then something we’ve struggled with this season is scoring and keeping the pressure on, get the second, get the third. We did that today and it killed the game. All round, a lot of relief but a lot of satisfaction for a good performance.
"Now as a group I think it’s important we don’t sit back and enjoy it too long, we have to get going again Tuesday."
