#INSERT type:image caption:Sadio Mane celebrates his winner with Saints boss Ronald Koeman. END#
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman was more satisfied by his side's performance in the 1-0 home win over Stoke than their 8-0 annihilation of Sunderland last week.
Saints continue to make a mockery of the doom merchants after their summer exodus, with this win moving them back up to second place in the Premier League.
Sadio Mane's first-half strike proved the difference as they secured a fourth successive victory at St Mary's, although Stoke made them work hard for it.
"It was difficult because we didn't kill the game,'' Koeman said. "We created eight good chances, and you know if you don't score the second one it's difficult.
"Stoke put everything into it 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 our position too easily sometimes. They didn't create a lot -- we deserved our win but it was a difficult one, more difficult than last week.
"Maybe it was nicer to win like this than last week, because the lads showed great character and great ambition again. We had great support from our fans, and it was a great win.''
Stoke boss Mark Hughes said he was pleased by the way his side had responded to that one-sided opening period -- but acknowledged that it had cost them dear.
"From our point of view, we're a little bit disappointed with the first half really," he said.
"We didn't ask enough questions of Southampton, made it a little bit too easy and showed them a little too much respect, I would suggest -- which is understandable to a certain extent given their exploits last time out here.
"Second half, I thought we were a lot better, but we never really created those clear-cut chances we needed to get back on level terms."