Russell Martin made another powerful statement to both the team players and the board members.

Southampton recently claimed their first Premier League victory of the season, with Adam Armstrong scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 win at home against Everton. After enduring eight league losses, rumors of a potential managerial change at St. Mary’s Stadium were mounting, as the club sought to avoid another relegation after just two seasons back in the top flight.

Additionally, consecutive comeback losses to Arsenal and Leicester City dealt a hard blow to Russell Martin’s side, who had already faced issues with scoring and defensive consistency early in the season. However, the Saints finally ended their ten-match winless streak in the Premier League by securing their first clean sheet and three points of the season.

Russell Martin was thrilled to claim a crucial three points against Everton. Recently, 27-year-old star fullback Kyle Walker-Peters emphasized the importance of their first league win, viewing it as a major step toward avoiding relegation. This made the Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Stoke City even more significant, where Southampton pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory in the final moments, despite two defensive errors.

Building on their positive momentum, Martin’s team put on a heroic defensive display to keep the visitors from scoring. Their resilience paid off in the closing minutes when struggling star Adam Armstrong netted his first league goal of the season, securing a memorable 1-0 home win for Southampton.

Manager Russell Martin expressed immense satisfaction with his team’s comprehensive performance in securing their first Premier League win. He shared his feelings, saying,

“It was a big relief, happiness, gratitude, and pride in the players, staff, supporters, owners, and the board.”

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Russell Martin, Manager of Southampton, acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Everton FC at St Mary’s Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Martin extended his gratitude to Southampton fans and club owners for their unwavering support, which played a crucial role in achieving this important league victory. Additionally, his bold move to replace Tyler Dibling with Adam Armstrong paid off, as the 27-year-old put aside his Premier League challenges to score the winning goal in the second half.

Southampton now faces an away fixture against Wolves before the international break, and a win in this match could help the Saints steer clear of the relegation zone while maintaining their strong momentum heading into future games.