Ronald Koeman bemoaned Saints’ “very poor” defending as they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of Crystal Palace.

Saints have the meanest backline in the Premier League this season but leaked three first half goals as they were beaten 3-2 by Alan Pardew’s men at St Mary’s.

The frustration of the defeat was only compounded by the amount of big teams that crashed out of the competition on a day of shocks.

Though it may have been an entertaining game for the neutral, Koeman was not so happy.

He said: “For the fans maybe because after 22 minutes it was 2-2 but too much mistakes.

“If I talk about our defensive organisation normally one of the strengths of the team but not today, not working together, too much space in the positions defending.

“They punished us to score three times and maybe to miss another two goals and that was the problem the first 45 minutes.

“We controlled it a little bit but defensively very poor.

“You can’t defend like that with the qualities what they have in front, the confidence they have.

“Second half much better but not good enough to score more and score the draw at least.

“Bad first half defensively was why we lost today.”

He added: “Yes frustrating because two times winning in the game and too soon the draw against.

“Maybe after the 1-0 two or three minutes, after the 2-1 the same question and then it’s difficult.

“That’s strange because it’s one of the strengths of the team but not today. Defensively poor, very poor.”