Saturday 24 January 2015 20:28, UK
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman bemoaned his side's defending after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by a lively Crystal Palace side.
Koeman admitted Southampton knew how dangerous Palace would be under new boss Alan Pardew, but they failed to contain them as the Eagles twice came from behind at St Mary's to win the fourth-round tie 3-2, with Marouane Chamakh scoring the winning goal in the 39th minute.
The Dutchman said: "It was a difficult one - we knew it before. Crystal Palace are doing well with a new manager and they punished the mistakes we did in the first 45 minutes. Now total focus (goes) to the Premier League for next week."
Southampton joined Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham in bowing out of the competition on Saturday - making this exit all the more frustrating for Koeman.
"Everybody will say the same - it's a pity because the big ones are out of the FA Cup," he said.
"You know it's difficult to beat every team, not about the level because everybody is fighting to win games in the FA Cup.
"We defended very poorly. You can’t defend like that with the quality and confidence that they have. The second half was much better but not good enough to create more and score to get the draw at least."
To make matters worse for Saints, their list of absentees grew further after substitute Shane Long had to be taken off following a collision with Palace defender Joel Ward.
The striker could be facing weeks on the sidelines after suffering suspected fractured ribs.
