Ronald Koeman is eyeing European football for Southampton after Victor Wanyama's stunning strike against Hull kept them flying high in the Barclays Premier League.
Eldin Jakupovic's botched clearance gave Wanyama the chance to try his luck from 40 yards after just three minutes at the KC Stadium and the Kenyan midfielder produced a wonderful finish to secure a 1-0 win.
The south-coast side have now won 10 of their last 11 matches in all competitions and lie second behind Chelsea.
Buoyant away fans were chanting about a title challenge at the final whistle, but while Koeman sees that as a fanciful notion he does not feel Europe is beyond his side. And on this form, the Champions League may be a more realistic aim than the Europa League.
Asked if he could deliver the title push the supporters jokingly sang about, the Dutchman said: "That's always positive, but that's not what will happen. But to continue winning and being up in the table, why not? Expectations are high, but I like that because we would like to win something.
"Football players like to win games and if you win games, you will have good possibilities. Maybe to play in Europe, you never know. Everybody knows we have to work hard every day and the players are incredible in the way they are acting together. If we keep like this, it can be a fantastic season."
Koeman also had a special word of praise for his match-winner, adding: "[Wanyama was] fantastic. The goal was amazing but it was the way he played everything in the midfield. He was strong, he won the battles and played well on the ball. It's fantastic to have that kind of player."
Arsenal moved into the top four with a 3-0 home victory over Burnley, although they had to be patient against the winless Clarets.
Alexis Sanchez and Calum Chambers ended Burnley's brave resistance with two goals in as many minutes inside the final quarter. Sanchez's 10th goal of the season in injury time applied gloss to the result for the hosts
Arsene Wenger's men move above West Ham on goal difference after the East London side fought back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw at Stoke.
Victor Moses' first Premier League goal in 14 months and Mame Biram Diouf put Stoke 2-0 ahead, but Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing extended West Ham's unbeaten run to four matches.
Mario Balotelli was restored to the Liverpool line-up after his goal-scoring cameo as a Capital One Cup substitute in midweek, but Brendan Rodgers' team drew a blank in a 1-0 defeat at in-form Newcastle.
Ayoze Perez, on as a half-time substitute for Papiss Cisse, profited from Alberto Moreno's mistake to grab the 73rd-minute winner from close-range for Alan Pardew's men, who are now only a point behind Liverpool.
Swansea held Everton to a goalless draw at home despite having Jonjo Shelvey sent off 19 minutes from time after picking up a second yellow card. West Brom defeated Leicester 1-0 at the King Power Stadium after Esteban Cambiasso's 47th-minute own goal.
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