Southampton striker Rickie Lambert has admitted that his side cannot afford to rest on their laurels, despite moving into fourth place in the Premier League table after yesterday's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.

The 31-year-old, who scored the second goal in the victory, has called on his teammates to keep improving.

"A good start is important to any team in any season, but just because we've done well doesn't necessarily mean we can lay off a little bit," he told the club's official website.

"We'll be trying to improve because we know the teams around us in the league are going to pick up points so it's going to get harder to stay where we are, but we're confident we can do it.

"It's very nice [to be fourth], so let's try to stay there now. It's early doors, so we've got to take our start into the rest of the season and push on so we can stay there."

Yesterday's result means that Southampton are unbeaten in six games.