Southampton manager Nigel Adkins heaped praise on Billy Sharp after his new signing's goal in Saints' 2-0 win over Burnley at St Mary's.

Adam Lallana's early header put Saints ahead before debutant Sharp was credited with the second, though the final touch came off Burnley defender Ben Mee.

Adkins said: "He is going to be a massive threat in this league. But it is not about 11 players, we have a very strong squad to deal with the latter stages of the campaign.

"You can see the link-up play between Rickie Lambert and Billy, there are goals in both of them. They are going to be a huge threat for any defence.

"We have very good strikers at this football club now. It was a good victory, we played some very good football and could have scored a lot more goals.

"There is a real belief about us now and the win sets us up nicely for the rest of the season."

His side were out of the blocks quickly and were soon ahead through the impressive Lallana.

The midfielder began a move on halfway, the ball finding its way wide to the lively Frazer Richardson whose cross was met by Lallana with a looping header.

Saints could have gone further ahead four minutes later but Lee Grant kept Burnley in it as he palmed Rickie Lambert's fierce effort wide.

Southampton's top scorer went close again seconds afterwards as his looping header was cleared off the line.

Burnley could hardly get a touch in the Saints' half, let alone a shot.

Their first effort on goal came in the 24th minute but Davis was equal to Keith Treacy's long-range volley.

Saints doubled their thanks to a little bit of luck in the 33rd minute. Lambert, drifting wide left, floated a perfect ball across the box for strike partner Sharp.

His touch was poor but diverted the ball onto the retreating Mee's knee and the defender could only watch as it rolled past the helpless Grant.

Burnley made two changes at the break and showed more urgency in the second half but they struggled to get a shot on goal.

Southampton looked more likely to score and should have done when Lallana shot straight at Grant when through with 65 minutes gone.

Connolly, on for Sharp, thought he had added a third with 20 to play but was ruled offside when he tucked home from close range.

Burnley boss Eddie Howe said: "It was as poor as we have played for a long time. I don't think any player has come out of it with much credit except for Lee Grant.

"We have to hit the ground running now and start winning our home games between now and the end of the season.

"The defeat has served us a notice. We knew it was going to be probably our toughest game of the season and I am very disappointed with how we played."