Southampton climbed to fifth in the Premier League Saturday as Graziano Pelle ended a 14-game goal-drought in a 2-0 win over Hull City at St Mary's Stadium.

James Ward-Prowse set up the third successive home win converting a second-half penalty after Shane Long, the former Hull striker, had been fouled by Alex Bruce.

While Pelle then made the game safe for the Saints nine minutes from time.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman had accepted his side had no chance of forcing their way into the top four after defeat at Everton the previous weekend but the south coast club's bid to secure a place in the Europa League remains on course.

Hull are staring in the opposite direction and this defeat left Steve Bruce's side one place and two points above the relegation zone.

Beaten finalists in last season's FA Cup final, Hull have suffered a serious hangover this season.

This was their sixth successive league match without a win and their final six games include tough-looking home matches with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, as well as relegation rivals Burnley, while Hull also face trips to face Tottenham and in-form Crystal Palace.

Hull manager Steve Bruce reacted to the Tigers' 3-1 loss to Swansea last time out by making five changes to his line-up, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Steve Harper and striker Sone Aluko among the new faces drafted in.

Bruce had spoken before the game of his fear the decision to sell Long to Southampton for £12 million ($17.6 million, 16.6 million euros) might come back to haunt him.

And when a misplaced back-pass from Ahmed Elmohamady allowed the striker to race clear on Harper's goal, the manager's fears appeared well-founded.

Fortunately for the visitors, Long's attempt to round Harper saw him take the ball out of play, handing his former team-mates a major let off.

Hull responded positively with Aluko testing Southampton keeper Kelvin Davis three times in the opening half hour, while fellow striker Dame N'Doye also had two good shooting opportunities.

Southampton looked disjointed, although the midfield promptings of the excellent Morgan Schneiderlin ensured they always posed a threat.

And they had a second chance to take the lead in the 21st minute when Harper raced off his line quickly to smother Pelle's shot.

The Italy forward had endured a terrible run coming into this game and his failure to make more of the chance summed up his recent troubles.

Southampton lacked a cutting edge as Hull continued to threaten going forward, Aluko teeing up Jake Livermore for a shot that was saved by Davis at the start of the second half.

Long's pace, though, eventually proved too much for Hull -- and for Alex Bruce, the manager's son, in particular -- when the forward advanced into the box on the right hand side and drew a clumsy challenge from the Hull defender.

Ward-Prowse kept his composure from the inevitable resulting penalty after Sadio Mane had attempted to assume responsibility for taking the kick before the intervention of Saints skipper Jose Fonte ensured the England Under-21 midfielder was given the chance to finish impressively in the 56th minute.

Hull visibly wilted after falling behind and never looked like forcing their way back into the game.

And it was no surprise when Pelle wrapped up the win in the 81st minute, this time finishing well after being set up by Schneiderlin.