Ronald Koeman admitted to being “a little bit disappointed” after Saints were held to a 2-2 draw by Tottenham.

Graziano Pelle twice gave Saints the lead but goals from Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli meant they had to settle for a draw.

Saints created by far the better chances in the game, and Koeman was pleased with their display, but felt that failing to hit the target in good positions cost them what could have been a huge win in the battle for Europe.

He said: “It was a fantastic football game. I enjoyed it very much.

“Good football, two teams who played to win the game out of a good organisation, good individual players.

“Maybe we had the better chances in the game but this is the way how I like to play football and of course to play at home on two occasions you go in front in the score 1-0 and 2-1 a little bit disappointed but for the rest is very proud of the team because good football, we showed our level, we showed our ambition and we scored a great second goal.

“That’s football but playing at home two times in front you expect to win the game.

“Maybe one moment in not a good defensive organisation too much space to Chaldi and he punished us but it can happen.”

Daily Echo:

Koeman also absolved referee Jonathan Moss of any blame for not spotting a handball from Lamela for the first Spurs equaliser.

“I saw it at half time,” said Koeman. “Ok, but if the referee gets that possibility to see that at half time he will give handball but it was going so fast it is so difficult for the referee to see exactly what happened.

“It’s handball but I think it was too fast, too difficult for the referee to see it was exactly handball.”