Back to the Southampton Newsfeed

Sofiane Boufal struggles but Southampton fans must keep the faith

This is a modal window.

Claude Puel was left frustrated by Southampton's defeat at Tottenham before the international break.

When Sofiane Boufal lit up a drab EFL Cup tie against Sunderland with a stunning individual goal, there was a sense Southampton had found the next African superstar to take the Premier League by storm.

As the-then recently arrived club record signing plucked the ball beautifully from the sky before curling a thunderous strike into the top corner, St Mary's rose as one to welcome their new hero.

The home fans poured onto the streets purring at Boufal's brilliance and licking their lips at the prospect of what was to come from the former Lille winger.