Five things we learned from Southampton v Cardiff

Here are five things we learned:

1. Saints drop points - again:

Jack Stephens celebrates his goal against Cardiff

Saints have now dropped a staggering nine points in the final 10 minutes of a game.

The unwanted stat, which is a Premier League high, is the difference between them being in a relegation battle and sitting comfortably in 13th.

They’ve got two weeks now until their match with Arsenal and this is something that Ralph Hasenhuttl will need to address.

2. It’s another game without a clean sheet:

Sol Bamba puts Cardiff ahead

Saints have only kept one clean sheet since Hasenhuttl has been in charge which is a damning statistic.

Surprisingly, that came in the goalless draw with Chelsea.

It’s all well and good being able to score goals, but the main thing is preventing them from going in at the other end.

This is something that Saints aren’t able to do and, as the season gallops into the final 12 hurdles, it’s an issue that needs ironing out sooner rather than later.

3. Ryan Bertrand is back:

Ryan Bertrand chases after Oumar Niasse

After being absent since November, Bertrand made his return to the Saints team yesterday.

The left-back went straight into the starting XI, which meant Matt Targett had to settle for a place on the bench.

It’s hard to be critical of a player that has spent such a long time out injured, but his final ball at times was lacking.

However, he deserves credit for lasting the duration of the match on his comeback.

4. The unbeaten run came to an end:

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl

Hasenhuttl’s side hadn’t lost in the Premier League since the turn of the year.

That’s a run which includes matches against Chelsea, Leicester, Everton and Burnley.

Given the talk in the build-up to their last three games was centred on Saints getting at least seven points from the nine available, it’s a cause for concern that they only managed to pick up two.

5. Saints are back in the bottom three:

Alex McCarthy is unable to deny Cardiff's Sol Bamba

Things are now looking extremely bleak for the St Mary’s side.

Yesterday was an opportunity to go five points clear of the relegation zone, but they now find themselves in it.

Burnley’s win away to Brighton put the icing on an unwanted cake that Saints will have to eat.

It’s going to be an uphill battle from here as the next three games include trips to Arsenal and Manchester United.