Mauricio Pochettino paid tribute to his fringe players after they stepped in to help end Saints’ three game losing run with a gutsy 1-1 draw against Manchester City at St Mary’s.

Pochettino has had to call on several of his squad members to come into the side after a horrible run of injuries robbed him of the services of many of his regular first teamers.

However, they put behind them the defeat against Aston Villa in midweek to secure an impressive point thanks to Dani Osvaldo’s brilliant first half equaliser.

“I think overall the performance was amazing from my team,” said Pochettino.

“I think we have been on a negative run of results as of late but the thing about this team is it keeps believing.

“I think this bad run of results we have been on has been due to different factors – maybe we have been unfortunate a little bit in a few of these games.

“This team believes and I think this team is on a good run in how it plays. It tries to play always the same way, it tries to play well the same way.

“I think against Manchester City we beat them on possession against a team that has the biggest record on possession in the league.

“Overall I am very happy with the team.”

Speaking of Osvaldo’s superb goal he added: “I think it was a great goal.

“I think we were all able to see it and to all eyes it was an amazing goal.”