Hasenhüttl rues missed chances
Ralph Hasenhüttl felt Southampton did not deserve anything from the trip to Crystal Palace for the simple reason that his side did not take their chances.
Saints struggled in the first period, and few could argue the hosts were worthy of the half-time lead given them to Odsonne Édouard’s 38th-minute goal.
In the archetypal game of two halves, the visitors took the game to Palace in the second 45, but Ché Adams was twice denied by Vicente Guaita and Stuart Armstrong struck the post as the home team held out.
When asked if Saints deserved a share of the spoils, Hasenhüttl said: “When you don’t score a goal, it is not a fair result, because this is what was the difference today – they did it once and we definitely had the bigger chances but we didn’t [score]. That’s the reason why we lost this game today.”
Hasenhüttl, who introduced Ainsley Maitland-Niles for Ibrahima Diallo at the interval, explained the contrast in Saints’ performance in both halves.
“The reason is that in the first half in some moments you lose the ball too easy,” he said. “The opponent was very aggressive, and then if you don’t play quick enough you have a problem.
“We showed them that we had to be more aware of the counter-pressing, play quicker and this was much better in the second half.
“We didn’t change anything tactically at half time, we only changed a player. We tried to play better, not to make so many mistakes and still be brave, which we also tried in the first half. The result was more chances, more possession and a better game.
“We have to stand up again and take the positive things out of this game. It is always difficult when you don’t take points, but we could see that we could play good enough to take something here.
“I’m looking forward to next week and hopefully getting some other players back on the pitch. That gives me a few more opportunities, which is good.”
