Southampton boss Claude Puel has praised the character of his side after they came from behind to beat Inter Milan 2-1 in the Europa League on Thursday.

Mauro Icardi had gave the Nerazzurri a first-half lead at St Mary’s Stadium, while Saints missed a penalty during the opening 45 minutes, as Dusan Tadic saw his spot-kick saved by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

The Premier League club rallied in the second-half however, with a goal from Virgil van Dijk levelling the score-line, before Yuto Nagatomo put through his own net to hand Puel’s men the victory.

After the match the French coach was full of praise for his side, particularly highlighting the persistence they showed after falling behind in the first-half.

“I think it was a fantastic game for my players, because all the scenarios were against us tonight,” Puel said via the club’s website.

“We dominated the first half, but we went 1-0 down and just before half-time we missed a penalty.

“There were also many saves from the opponent’s goalkeeper [Samir Handanovic], but we persisted and all the players kept their calm and quality on the pitch, and we came back to score this first goal with Virgil and then after with the second.”

Southampton are now second in their Europa League group and they could seal their place in the knockout stages with a victory over Sparta Prague in their next European match on November 24.

Before the game in Prague, Saints must first turn their attention back to domestic action, with a Premier League match at the KCOM Stadium against Hull to come on Sunday.

The south-coast club are available at 1.70 to secure all three points on Sunday, while the Tigers are priced at 5.50 and the draw is on offer at 3.60.