Ronald Koeman bemoaned a lack of ruthlessness as Southampton were made to pay for wasted chances against West Ham United.
Koeman’s side dominated proceedings during the opening 45 minutes, but only had an own-goal from West Ham’s Carl Jenkinson to show for their efforts.
The Hammers, who made a double substitution at the break, responded in the second half and thanks to goals from Michail Antonio and Andy Carroll, took all three points at the Boleyn Ground.
Speaking to youtube.com/southamptonfc, Koeman said: “The second half was totally different than the first – I think we played fantastic football and we had to score more about that football in the first half.
“Then we expect the reaction what they gave in the second half with Carroll on the pitch – more aggressive and more second balls.
“We made more mistakes than in the first half, but we were a little bit unlucky with the two goals and second situations.
“You know if you only score one goal they still have the belief. We deserve more but you have to score and be more clinical out of that 45 minutes.
“It was one team on the pitch playing football, but we got what you can expect from them after half time.
“They scored two goals out of a better second half and we scored one goal out of a fantastic first half. That’s the difference.”
Saints and the Hammers both came into the game having played just 48 hours previously, but Koeman felt his side worked as hard as they could in a bid to take something away from the game.
“I think it was not a physical problem because we had a good reaction after the 2-1 down,” Koeman added.
“They showed until the last second in the game the physical level and we did everything until the last second.
“The team is getting the confidence what you need, we showed that for 45 minutes, but still one of our problems is that if you are so dominant on the pitch and it’s still 1-0 you give them the chance to come back.
“That we have to change, but it needs time.”
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