An excellent Stuart Armstrong free-kick earned Southampton a tense victory against Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium.
The 31-year-old won it with his curled effort from 25 yards, which found the top-left corner of Mark Travers' goal just before the break.
Both sides saw dangerous chances deflected off target early in the second half, while Travers did well to deny Kamaldeen Sulemana in a game of few opportunities.
Stoke teenager Nathan Lowe had a shout for a penalty ignored by referee James Bell after appearing to be fouled by Jan Bednarek, as the Saints hung on for their second successive win since ending a four-game losing run.