Hasenhüttl rues deficiencies at both ends

By SFC Media time Tue 23 Feb Leeds United v Saints
Photo by Matt Watson | Ralph Hasenhüttl

Manager Ralph Hasenhüttl rued his side’s performance at both ends of the pitch as Southampton fell to a 3-0 defeat to Leeds at Elland Road.

Saints started brightly in West Yorkshire but were denied a lead at the halfway stage by two tight decisions.

A penalty awarded for a foul on Nathan Tella was overturned by VAR, before Ché Adams’s finish from a quickly taken free-kick was brought back by referee Andre Marriner, having been taken milliseconds before he blew his whistle.

However, the hosts were resurgent after the break to comprehensively see off the visitors, leaving Hasenhüttl to reflect on a difficult night.

“They deserved the three points,” he said. “Especially in the second half, they were the much better team and killed us with one-against-one quality and with more energy in the second half. This was the reason why we lost today.

The final punch in the final third is not there at the moment.

Ralph hasenhüttl

“We knew that they would try more because in the first half we had everything under control. We were good in the game.

“The way the [first] goal happened is a disaster to be honest. It can never happen in that easy way. It is then difficult after this because the opponent gets a lift.

“We had chances before the second goal, we had a big chance but didn’t score and then the opposite is immediately a goal.

“The final punch in the final third is not there at the moment and we struggle with scoring goals at the moment and conceding always, which is not a good combination.”

Related

Saints fall to three second-half goals
chevron right
Highlights: Leeds 3-0 Saints
Leeds United v Saints

Highlights: Leeds 3-0 Saints

An extended look at midweek in West Yorkshire.

timeWed 24 Feb
90 in 90: Leeds 3-0 Saints Adams: It's a tough one to take Video: Spacey-Cale reflects on debut season video05:38
video
Women's First Team

Video: Spacey-Cale reflects on debut season

Marieanne Spacey-Cale talks through first Championship season.

Livramento on never losing confidence Edozie and Young Lions kickstart U20 World Cup campaign