Ronald Koeman refused to blame referee Mike Jones for Saints’ defeat, despite him awarding Sunderland two penalties and sending off James Ward-Prowse.

The ref pointed to the spot in the first half after Jose Fonte felled Danny Graham with a high boot, and did the same in the second period as Ward-Prowse brought down Jermain Defoe. That offence led to a red card.

Jordi Gomez dispatched both spot kicks to condemn Saints to a 2-1 defeat.

Koeman, though, was in no mood to blame Jones for the defeat.

Speaking of the penalties he said: “I don’t know, I didn’t see. I have to see it back.

"Maybe the first one is an easy given one.

“The second I don’t know, but it’s so easy to talk about the referee, about the decisions of the referee.

Daily Echo:

Referee Mike Jones about to send James Ward-Prowse off

“We did those kind of mistakes to give them that chances or possibilities to have that kind of situations in our box.”

Though Koeman was frustrated with his side’s loss, he is hoping that his old boss and friend Dick Advocaat can guide Sunderland to safety now.

“For Sunderland, I hope that they will reach it because it’s nice for the coach and the club but I have to look to our own situation at Southampton,” he said.

“It’s very difficult in a short period but of course I know the coach, I know Advocaat and it’s an experienced man, a good coach and a coach who expects at least more than 100 per cent spirit.

“I think in the Premier League that’s not a question about spirit of the players normally.

“Maybe Advcoaat give them a little bit more, a little bit extra, but I think it’s still a difficult situation for them because most of the team they are struggling but in the last few weeks they get more points.”