Ronald Koeman praises talismanic Graziano Pelle

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has heaped praise on striker Graziano Pelle for his decisive performance in tonight's 3-2 League Cup win away to Stoke City.

Having already opened the scoring, the Italian then netted an 88th-minute winner at the Britannia Stadium to bring his total haul for the season to nine in all competitions.

The 29-year-old joined the Saints for a reported £8m from Feyenoord in July, and Koeman says that his talisman is proving money well spent.

"Pelle is a great player and showed his qualities, not only scoring, but as a target man," he told reporters.

"Little by little the players are learning how to play with Pelle. He's been a great signing for us."

Shane Long had added to his strike partner's opening goal as Koeman's side took a 2-0 half-time lead and looked well on their way to the quarter-final of the competition.

However, Steven N'Zonzi struck shortly after the break, before Mame Biram Diouf completed the comeback with an 82nd-minute equaliser.

Peter Crouch was sent off for a second yellow card minutes later, and Pelle struck directly from that free kick to send Southampton into the last eight.