Saturday 2 May 2015 19:54, UK
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman insisted his team were better after going down to 10 men in their 2-1 defeat at Sunderland.
The Saints men fell behind to a Jordi Gomez penalty but a defensive mix-up then handed Sadio Mane an easy chance to equalise moments later.
However, Gomez converted another spot-kick after the break after James Ward-Prowse was somewhat harshly red carded for his clumsy foul on Jermain Defoe.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Southampton then took charge for the final half-hour but were unable to force an equaliser.
They had been second-best until then and Koeman was unhappy that it took perceived injustice to rouse his team.
Asked if he agreed with the awarding of the penalties, Koeman said: “Maybe yes, maybe not.
“But the second penalty came out of a bad position from our side. The 10 minutes after half-time was very poor, and that is the frustration, not about decisions of the referee. We did it by ourselves.
“I have to be respectful to Sunderland, who put everything in today. It is a good result for them and well deserved.
“But the frustration for me as the manager of Southampton is why, today, we showed our quality with one player less on the pitch in 10 against 11, and we didn’t show it 11 against 11. That is the key to the final result today.
“We were lucky to score the 1-1 goal, very lucky, and it was not good enough in our ball position.
“We lost so many balls and the first 10 minutes after half-time was very poor, a lot of mistakes, and out of that moment came the 2-1.
“That was my question to the players after the match in the dressing room, why we only showed how you have to play football with one player less on the pitch.
“Still, I don’t know why.”
The Saints remain seventh after the loss but Koeman has not given up hope of qualifying for the Europa League next season.
“Of course we still believe,” Koeman added.
“Every game is a difficult one and you need to keep going.
“OK, today’s result is very bad, but there are still three games to play and we will fight until the last second.”
