Davis - 8: After a terrible afternoon at Sheffield Wednesday, he deserves credit for doing what little he had to do faultlessly. He swept up well at the back, saved well at their striker's feet and dealt well with a howler of a backpass from Hammill. This was a day when even what looked a rush of blood to head to chase the ball well outside his area came off for him.
Ifil - 7: Restored to the side after being inexplicably rested, he looked quick, committed and offered plenty going forward, even if his crossing occasionally let him down. The right side of defence was much more solid and much of it was down to him.
Davies - 6: Made a lot of problems for himself by letting the ball bounce too often in a mixed first half. Improved considerably in the second making some vital interceptions with good no-nonsense defence that saw him put the ball into every row from A-Z.
Dailly - 6: He was constantly talking and organising the back line and good job he was or even wasteful Blackpool would have scored. Won more than his fair share in the air with some brave headers, but was absolutely skinned for pace by Blackpool's pacey attack.
Skacel - 4: Despite the odd flash of quality from his magical left foot, he endured a torrid afternoon in defence. Frequently caught out of position in no man's land up the field, he rarely made up for it with effective attacking play with Saints struggling to keep hold of the ball. Quite simply he needs to be playing further up the field where we can make the best use of his talents.
Dyer - 7: Started like a house on fire, tenacious in defence and lively in attack, with most of Saints' best attacking moves going through him, although the quality of his final ball sometimes let him down. Less influential when moved to left midfield and having picked up a knock, but that's hardly his fault.
Safri - 7: Kept Saints moving with his full range of passing and broke up play with some well timed challenges. Kept his head with the needless positional shifts around him in the second half.
Surman - 6: Slowly got back to his cultured best after a poor first half when he failed to close down Blackpool in central midfield. Really came into his own in the second half and it was no coincidence that Saints really started playing when he did. Great moment to see the Saints fan celebrating the goal with the Northam.
Euell - 5: Showed some good touches in the first half, controlling the ball well and linking play. The less said about the second half the better, missing his dubiously earned penalty and being as guilty as anyone at surrending possession. Difficult to understand why he keeps getting played out of position at left midfield when Surman is the obvious replacement.
John - 7: Another vital goal to finish off a beautiful move by Surman and Wright-Phillips. Played the targetman role well and showed some nice touches on the ground to link play. Nearly scored a glorious second, controlling expertly on his chest and powering a half-volley onto the underside of the bar.
Wright-Phillips - 6: Usual combination of flicks and tricks from Bradley, some proving more effective than others and none more so than his peach of a pass to put Stern John in for the winner. Still needs to offer more of a goal threat himself, but works well with John.
Substitutes
Viafara - 6: With Saints struggling in central midfield, he was wasted at right midfield, until eventually moved inside late to try and hang onto our lead. Really should have been playing from the start alongside Safri.
Rasiak - 6: Saints seem to insist on pumping high balls towards him when that's not his game. Put in plenty of effort to play the targetman role, but we need him on the end of chances not used as a battering ram outside the box.
Hammill - 2: After showing so much talent in pre-season, he played like a kid who'd won a competition. Unfortunately, he lost the ball with nearly every touch when we desperately needed to retain possession and powered a howler of a backpass to Davis. Had a golden chance to make the game safe after an excellent pass from Rasiak, but spooned over when it was easier to score. Let's hope he just needs a runout on his more natural right side and we can see the best of his raw talent.