GOALKEEPER Fraser Forster insisted it was “a bit of both” homework and instinct used to keep out Luka Milivojevic’s spot-kick and help Saints on their way to a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

Danny Ings’s strike had put Saints level at 1-1 before half-time at St Mary’s, cancelling out Christian Benteke’s second-minute opener.

Nathan Redmond was then judged to have brought down Wilfried Zaha in the box – meaning Serbian midfielder Milivojevic got the chance to beat Forster from 12 yards.

But the Saints stopper guessed the right way, diving to his left to keep out the Palace man’s effort from the spot.

Saints went on to triumph with Che Adams firing them in front before Ings added a second.

Asked whether the penalty save was down to doing his homework on Milivojevic or instinct, Forster told the Daily Echo: “It’s a bit of both.

“Obviously he has taken a lot of penalties and goes both ways but luckily I went the right way and it stayed out.”

Victory took Saints to 40 points for the campaign and saw them climb to 14th in the Premier League table.

Forster added: “It was hugely satisfying. It was a tough start to the game going 1-0 down but it was a great reaction from the team.

“We played some fantastic football and we were clinical in front of goal.

“We have always believed in what we are doing and we know the levels we can play to.

“We just haven’t showed that consistently during the season. It’s nice to get the win and put on a good performance as well.

“We want to finish the season strong and try to kick on up the league table a little bit.”

Saints host Fulham in the top flight on Saturday (3pm).