Hasenhuttl slams defensive display after Saints' defeat at Newcastle

Having shipped nine in Tuesday’s top-flight thumping against Manchester United, the St Mary’s side conceded three in the first half of their 3-2 defeat at St James’ Park.

Paraguayan Miguel Almiron struck twice and Joe Willock fired on his debut in victory for the Magpies, who also finished the contest with nine men.

Jeff Hendrick was sent off and Fabian Schar went off injured, with Steve Bruce having used all his allotted substitutions.

Asked how he summed up his side’s display, Austrian boss Hasenhuttl said: “It’s easy to sum up. Defensively not good enough for the Premier League again.

“The way we conceded the goals for the first half – far too easy. Then it’s always tough to come back.

“We tried everything in the second half but also with not always the best tools. This is the reason why we end up losing a game you never have to lose normally.”

He added: “When you defend like this then it’s not possible to win a Premier League game. This is what I must really say that we have to change very quickly.”

Defeat was Saints’ fifth in a row in the division.

“At the moment. It’s not a very good period we have in our game,” added Hasenhuttl.

“We play a little bit without last belief and last fight. When I see our defending in the first half it was far, far away from being Premier League.

“This is what we have to change very quickly. I mean that we can do it - we have shown not so long ago but we must show it again.

“The Premier League is a long season and it’s not possible to defend like we did. Then it’s always tough.

“We were two down with the first two chances, far too easily. It is not like it is normally and everything was not aggressive enough, not committed enough in that moment.

“Maybe we were a little bit under the shock from last Tuesday but I cannot accept it because the team seemed motivated at the beginning.

“Everybody wanted to show up here. That’s the reason why I’m not happy.”