Saints captain Jose Fonte admitted the loss of Morgan Schneiderlin at half-time affected the team, as they slipped to defeat against Manchester City.

Ronald Koeman’s side had kept the defending Premier League champions out during an even first-half, and were looking composed, but were then forced into a reshuffle at the break.

Schneiderlin went off with a thigh strain to be replaced by centre-half Maya Yoshida, with Toby Alderweireld being moved forward into midfield.

Saints looked far less assured against City’s attack after the break, as the visitors began to find some space and hurt their opponents.

“The first half we didn’t start well, but we got organised, defended well, then we grew into the game,” said Fonte.

“We had a good chance, they had a good chance, and the first-half was quite even, after the first 15, 20 minutes.

“Then, obviously, with the substitution at half-time, with Morgan coming off, we lost a little bit our normal organisation and then it was hard.

“After the first goal, it was just too hard for us to get back the organisation.”

Saints were afforded a route back into the game when Eliaquim Mangala was sent off with just over 15 minutes left, when the score was 1-0, but they failed to take advantage and were exposed on the break.

“After they went one man down, I thought we could go and win the game, but we made sloppy mistakes defensively and we got caught on a counter attack, in a way that we shouldn’t, and that’s it,” said Fonte.

“We move onto the next one, because there’s no time to dwell on this defeat.

“We learn from it and Wednesday we have another big game [at Arsenal], but we have to prove that we are here on merit.”

Fonte added: “We’re still in a good position, with a lot of points, and we’ve got to move and try and win the next one.”

Fonte’s centre-half partner in the first-half, Alderweireld, added: “Of course, we are disappointed.

“I think the first 20 minutes wasn’t the best, but we didn’t concede a goal and, after that, the organisation became better, we controlled the game and we started the second half very good I think.

“Then, unfortunately, they scored a goal. Then they had a red card and we wanted to put pressure on them and make it difficult, but I think then by a little mistake they get 0-2 and it’s very difficult for us.

“I think we didn’t play that bad, but there were some details that cost us the game and we have to man up – Wednesday is a big game again, so we can prove ourselves.”