Southampton will be seventh in the Premier League at Christmas after beating Bournemouth 3-1 at the Vitality Stadium last weekend.

Claude Puel’s side fell behind to Nathan Ake’s early header, but a brace from Jay Rodriguez and a strike from Ryan Bertrand secured the Saints just their second away league win of the campaign.

It means that they will be seventh in the table at Christmas, three points and five places better off than they were at this stage last season, a season in which they went on to record a seventh place finish.

Puel has won six of his opening 16 games in charge of the Saints since taking over from Ronald Koeman in the summer, and he has also led them to the semi-finals of the League Cup, where they will look to reach the final for just the second time in the club’s history when they take on Liverpool next month.

Nonetheless, the league is the focus for now, and Puel’s men have two home games against Tottenham and West Brom before the New Year in which to try and nail down a top half spot in the table.

In what has been an excellent 12 months at Southampton, we thought we’d have a look back at some of their better moments, so here are their top THREE goals of 2016…

James Ward-Prowse vs West Brom (January 16)

With the likes of Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle banging in the goals for Southampton last season, you’d be forgiven for forgetting about James Ward-Prowse’s man-of-the-match display in the 3-0 win over West Brom in January.

The young midfielder netted twice to help Ronald Koeman’s side to victory, but it was his first goal that was particularly impressive.

The England Under-21 international bent a superb free-kick past Boaz Myhill from 25 yards out to set Southampton on their way.

It’s not the first free-kick Ward-Prowse has scored, and it’s unlikely to be the last either.

Sofiane Boufal vs Sunderland (October 26)

Sofiane Boufal cost Southampton a club record £16 million in the summer, and he is slowly beginning to repay a bit of that money.

He has scored twice for the Saints this season, and both have been absolute crackers.

But the one selected is his fine strike against Sunderland, as it has helped the side reach the last four of the League Cup, and within two games of their second ever League Cup final.

Boufal exquisitely controlled Jose Fonte’s long ball forward before cutting inside onto his right foot, and firing the ball past Jordan Pickford from just inside the penalty area.

It secured the win for the Saints, and indeed indicated Boufal’s undoubted talent which Southampton fans are beginning to see more readily.

Jay Rodriguez vs Bournemouth (December 18)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_Ff8HWxxYU

What better way to win a derby match than a 20-yard volley!

That’s exactly what Jay Rodriguez did against Bournemouth on Sunday, as Puel’s men came from a goal down to beat Eddie Howe’s side 3-1 at the Vitality Stadium.

The former Burnley striker had put the visitors 2-1 up just after half time, but it was his third goal that was particularly special, as the 27-year-old saw a loose ball fall into his path on the edge of the box, before unleashing a volley on the turn into the corner.

It was a great goal worthy of sealing any match.