Saints still have plenty to work on despite their first win of the season, according to Mauricio Pellegrino.

The Saints manager was delighted to see his side battle out a thrilling 3-2 victory over West Ham at St Mary’s, but was also concerned by elements of their play that led to them being twice breached by a side reduced to ten men.

Pellegrino admitted there was a sense of mixed emotions at the final whistle.

“Obviously but we have to think about that physically maybe they are stronger than us and they were playing this type of game with free kicks, long free kicks, deep free kicks,” he reflected.

“The majority of the problems for us were in this type of moment.

“In the second half the first ten-15 minutes we could have scored the third goal and maybe history is other but we have to keep going and keep learning and it’s easier when you are winning the game.”

West Ham certainly looked a tougher prospect once they went down to ten and Pellegrino added: “This is something I think after the second goal we were a little bit relaxed but not in terms of concentration but in terms of trying to be more clinical to score the third one and try to kill the game.

“When you give the opportunity to the opponent to have some opportunities like today you will be in trouble and this is something we have to improve.”

Pellegrino was happy to see his side get the better of the decisions from referee Lee Mason, who sent off Marko Arnautovic, awarded Saints two penalties and incensed Wets Ham by not punishing Mario Lemina and turning down a handball appeal against Jack Stephens.

“I haven’t seen the replay and sometimes when the referee makes a decision you have to respect when they are for you you are happy in this case, when it’s against you have to suffer and to keep going,” said Pellegrino.

“From the bench I haven’t seen well both decisions.”

Pellegrino handed Mario Lemina a debut and said: “I decide to play with Mario and Oriol and in front with Steve Davis because I imagine they will play a lot of long balls in this situation.

“I think we did well in the first half but we have to keep going for Mario it wasn’t easy to play a first game after a lot of time without playing.”

Saints got the game won in stoppage time after Pellegrino threw on both Shane Long and Charlie Austin.

“They are players with capacity to move and try to find space,” admitted Pellegrino.

“I tell them that Charlie maybe play a little bit behind Shane because Shane runs behind and is quicker and Charlie needs to be close to the goal to receive crosses from wide areas and to stay there.

“I was sure that we will create some chances.”