Jay Rodriguez hailed a superb team performance from Saints as they snapped a six-game winless streak in style.

The forward scored twice at Cardiff, helping Mauricio Pochettino’s side race into an early 3-0 lead that they never relinquished.

The result marked the team’s first victory since the 4-1 demolition of Hull in early November, while it also represented a first clean sheet since October.

“We were clinical, we were very well drilled. We knew we had to come and do a job, and it’s nice to come away with three points,” said Rodriguez.

“We like to control the game and play our football, but it was nice to get a clean sheet, and the team performance was brilliant and I think we maybe could have scored more.”

Even though Saints had endured a difficult run in the weeks before this Boxing Day fixture, many of their performances had still been good.

Rodriguez explained that, despite results, there had not been any blow to the players’ confidence.

He said: “We kept the philosophy of what we want to do, and the team spirit’s always been high, so through the bad times we’re going to come good and it’s shown that we have – it’s a credit to the team and the staff how we’ve played.

“Now we need to kick on for the next game.”

Rodriguez’s brace means he has now scored eight times in the Premier League this season – two more than he managed last term.

The 24-year-old has a goal target in mind for this campaign, but he would not reveal what it is.

“I’ve always said I want to improve from last year, but I always set myself a target I try and keep to myself,” he said.

“I’m trying to improve, and I think every game I need to go out and do better, so hopefully I can next game.”

Rodriguez also praised Saints skipper Adam Lallana, who produced another excellent display and laid on his teammate’s opening goal.

“It was an unbelievable performance. It’s week in, week out,” he said. “He’s a great player and it was nice he set me up.”

Only 48 hours earlier, on Christmas Eve, Lallana had married his fiancée, Emily Jubb, making it a week to remember for the 25-year-old.

“When I went in the next day I just congratulated him,” said Rodriguez. “I’m so happy for him, they’re a lovely couple. “It’s a nice thing. He’s a good lad and he’s got a good family.”