Saints boss Claude Puel admitted his side need to turn performances into results against the Premier League’s big guns before the end of the season.

Defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last night added to a record of woe against the top sides.

Saints have failed to register a league win this season against the likely final top six of Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal in nine attempts.

Saints still have to play Liverpool, United and Arsenal before the end of the season, with Puel desperate to turn that record around.

“Yeah. It’s really important now to have good results against this team,” said Puel after the 4-2 loss to the title chasing Blues.

“Against Manchester City for example it was not enough for us. It was a good defensive with a strong defensive unit but without the good quality with the ball.

“This was a very interesting game for us and for Chelsea also.

“It was I think normally a draw at half time and second half was difficult because we tried to come back and with space and good counter attack they stayed dangerous and with these players in counter attack it’s difficult.

“The two free kicks for us it’s not normal for me because we need to improve on this situation because it’s a shame with the quality of this game to concede four goals.”

Saints did put in a decent display at the Bridge, in contrast to the 3-0 loss to Manchester City in their previous match.

The biggest frustration for Puel was that many of Saints’ problems were of their own making, as they conceded some sloppy goals.

On top of that they conceded at bad times, just after the start of both halves and moments before half time, which made an already difficult task immeasurably harder.

“I think it was for us a better performance than against Manchester City for example,” reflected Puel.

“In the final it’s a shame because we can do a good game with quality, intensity, reason, against a great opponent, but the scenario was bad because we conceded the goals in bad moments.

“The first after just five minutes of time and the second just before half time and the third when we are starting the second half. This made the difference.

“The details made the difference because it’s important now to find the good clinical and I think the good concentration about our free kicks also because we conceded this goal and we can prevent them.

“Of course we played against a great team and two great players like Eden Hazard and Diego Costa. They played very well and made the difference.”