James Ward-Prowse has claimed that Southampton's 1-0 win against Chelsea is a "massive turning point" ahead of their Premier League clash with Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday.
Leeds and Southampton had contrasting fortunes during their top-flight fixtures this weekend. Ward-Prowse's stunning free-kick saw the Saints pick up all three points against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, while the Whites lost 1-0 to Everton at Goodison Park thanks to a speculative strike from Seamus Coleman that caught Illan Meslier off-guard at his near post.
The two sides are separated by just a point at the foot of the table ahead of their crunch match this weekend. Ward-Prowse has now admitted that their win against Graham Potter's side can be used as a "springboard" ahead of their crucial game against Leeds.
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“We’re really pleased. It’s been a tough week," the Saints captain told club media . "There’s been a lot of outside noise, a bit of chaos around the place but Rubén [Selles] has come in and shown a bit of calmness and great leadership in that moment and settled everyone down and given everybody confidence in a familiar way of playing.
“I think you can see that belief from minute one. There was a game there to be had, you could feel that in the stadium and thankfully a huge win. It’s a familiar way of playing for us. We want to be front-footed and take the game to teams, especially if Chelsea themselves aren’t in a great moment.
“It is a really positive result and one that we deserved. We rode our luck at times but you’ve got to do that. We’ve not had the greatest of luck lately but it was with us [against Chelsea].
“I’m really pleased for them," Ward-Prowse added when asked about the Southampton fans. "It’s not been an easy season but this is a massive turning point and a springboard hopefully for what’s to come.
“I think it’s about consistency now, that’s what separates the teams at the bottom to the teams at the top. It’s about performing consistently every week so to follow this up now with a good performance now is what we need.”
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