FORMER Premier League defender Jamie Carragher praised Yukinari Sugawara and Adam Armstrong for their key role in Saturday's winner.

The Liverpool man credited the pair's non-verbal communication and described the Saints strike as "great play" in the 1-0 win over Everton.

Carragher, who grew up as a Toffees fan, insisted he was "delighted" for Saints as their first three points lifted them off the bottom of the Premier League.

Russell Martin's side had waited 10 matches for their first victory, despite previously going ahead in home games against Ipswich Town and Leicester City.

"It was huge, and I must say, Southampton and Ipswich were both obviously playing at the weekend," said Carragher on Sky Sports. 

"I was disappointed Leicester got the equaliser in some ways because I don't like it when promoted teams come up and in game 10 still haven't got three points.

"I was delighted for Southampton. I wanted Ipswich to hang on, it didn't happen for them but this was a huge moment for them (Saints) in the season.

"You don't know what it will mean at the end of the year and it wasn't a great game but I think in some ways it encapsulated what the Premier League's about.

"From one end, Everton think they can go and win the game, and then the other end, Southampton, come from nowhere and get it.

"We know how strong Everton are set-piece-wise and we know how poor Southampton are set-piece-wise - Beto's got to score," added Carragher.

"But the interesting thing in the 85th minute is you see these Everton players doing a 100m sprint to get back, they want to keep the clean sheet.

"Mykolenko, Everton's left-back, finds himself in right-back. He hasn't done anything wrong, they had a set piece and they're all out of position.

"There's a knock-on effect where he's out of position and Everton have everybody almost back behind the ball but they've got two left midfielders.

"The ball gets switched across and they forget that someone needs to fill in, so they now push out leaving a huge space here for Sugawara on that far side.

"When we talk about communication in football, we always talk about what you're saying, this goal is all about eye contact.

"He doesn't look at the ball, he's looking in the box but there's no one in the box. No one is making a move yet. Then he makes eye contact with Armstrong.

"Ashley Young is looking over his left shoulder the wrong way, his body position is wrong because they communicate not through words but eye contact.

"He knows he's now got to play that ball in there and Ashley Young just finds himself... he's been done. It's great play from Southampton."