Jim Mallinder felt Saints’ superb 30-19 win at Exeter was one of their best showings of the season so far.
Mallinder saw his men score three tries as they won at Sandy Park for the second season in succession.
The victory, which came courtesy of scores from Ken Pisi, Soane Tonga’uiha and GJ van Velze, pushes Saints back into the Premiership top four.
And the level of performance ranked alongside the triumphs at Gloucester and Bath, as well as the Heineken Cup success at Ulster.
“It was one of them (the best),” said Mallinder. “You’ve got to play well down here to win because Exeter are a good side.
“You’ve got to put them under pressure and make them make mistakes so it was a good performance by us.”
Exeter had only been beaten once at home this season, losing to French Top 14 big-hitters Clermont Auvergne.
But their unbeaten league record was crushed by Saints, and Mallinder expressed his delight after his side’s confident display.
“I’m very pleased,” he said. “It’s always tough to come down here. They’ve got a good home record, and quite rightly so.
“They’re a good team, they test you, test your defence by playing a lot but I think our defence was really good today.
“We were up for it and we took our opportunities, so I’m delighted.”
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