“We believe always in the top four.”

That was the rallying cry from Eljero Elia after Saints forced their way back into the fight for the Champions League.

Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace not only ended a goal drought of nearly six hours and broke a three-game winless streak, but it also re-energised the club’s remarkable bid to qualify for Europe’s elite competition.

Elia insists that, having now stopped their slide, Ronald Koeman’s men can finish in one of the coveted positions.

“We believe always in the top four and we have to look from game to game and keep faith in ourselves and train very hard. Then I hope that we have a lot of success,” said the winger.

Sadio Mane’s late goal at St Mary’s ended the team’s run of 352 minutes without scoring, and gave them a potentially vital three points.

Up until that stage, though, it had been another frustrating game for Saints against opposition who sat deep.

Although they won, Elia admitted they must still get better at breaking defensive-minded teams down.

“We have to find a way to score goals, and you know that teams don’t come here to play football anymore,” said the Dutch ace.

“Every team that comes here, they come to defend, 100 per cent.

“They are always ten men behind the ball, one striker.

“If they come out and they can score they are happy and then they close the game and we have to find the solution to win games and it goes [for us against Crystal Palace].”

Ahead of Tuesday’s match, Saints had been searching for a bit of luck – something that would just fall their way.

They might have just got it, with Wilfried Zaha being denied by the post before James Ward-Prowse’s shot rebounded off Palace keeper Julian Speroni into the path of Mane.

Saints also came close in the first half when Graziano Pelle stabbed a difficult chance wide following a Speroni save from one of the winger’s strikes.

The 28-year-old also insisted it is important that Saints start to break down defensive teams in the early stages of matches, so they can make life easier on themselves.

“I shoot also. My chance that I shoot and Graziano missed,” he said.

“When it is in the first half and you make goal then the game is open then they give also space and then you can make the 2-0 or the 3-0.

“That is the little bit of luck that we need.”