Match-winner Jordy Clasie hailed team-mate Fraser Forster after Southampton's 1-0 victory at West Brom.
Goalkeeper Forster preserved victory with two late saves from Craig Dawson and Jonny Evans at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
Clasie had struck a first-half winner to settle a forgettable game which saw the Saints close the gap on the eighth-placed Baggies to four points.
Claude Puel's side have two games in hand on Albion and strengthened their grip on a top 10 finish thanks to Forster's late heroics, including a fine reaction stop from Dawson.