Andy Monkhouse headed Pools ahead but two goals from the inspired Adam Lallana and one from Rickie Lambert secured victory on a rotten night in the north east.

Pardew said: "When you come to Hartlepool the last thing you want is the wind blowing down one end of the pitch. We had to modify our game at times because of it.

"They got a good goal, it was well worked, and we showed great resilience and get one back for ourselves in the first half. Then in the second half, we controlled the game and they couldn't play with the wind.

"I thought it was the sort of game which Southampton over the last 20 years, never mind in recent years, would have lost.

"But we had to dig in and show real character - head it, kick it, do the ugly side of the game. It was an ugly win, but one we are delighted with."