Frustrated Claude Puel said Saints were too “nervous” against Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side completed a comprehensive 3-0 win at St Mary’s.

It is hard to fathom how that would be the case with Saints coming into the match seemingly full of confidence after three games without defeat.

However, it was a below par display from Puel’s men as they were soundly defeated.

He said: “Yes disappointment but not just about the result but about our play because I think we can do better.

“We didn’t show a good Southampton and good quality on the pitch and we were nervous since the beginning of the game without playing good football on the pitch.

“Congratulations to this good team, but I think we gave them opportunities and it was not sufficient for us.

“After the recovery it was good organisation for example in defence for the first half and we saw with different actions with three or four passes with good reason and intensity we can have good opportunities against this team but it was not sufficient.

“It was important to keep going and it’s a disappointment for this game because we were nervous all the game and it was not a good game.”