RALPH Hasenhuttl praised his players and insisted “I wasn’t unhappy” with the performance after making team changes, despite defeat to Everton.

The Saints boss made six alterations to his starting lineup from the loss at Aston Villa last time out, also switching back to the 4-2-2-2 formation.

Frank Lampard’s Toffees ran out 2-1 winners despite Joe Aribo’s opener in the second-half but Saints should have levelled late through Adam Armstrong or Duje Caleta-Car.

The St Mary’s side registered six shots on target from their 21 total attempts, and also saw six per cent more of the ball than their Goodison Park counterparts.

“What can I say? We didn’t win, so you can always argue about it. I wasn’t unhappy, I must say,” Hasenhuttl responded to the Daily Echo, asked if the team gave him what he wanted to see.

“The way we played, the way we won the balls and the way we competed against the team was absolutely how we try to play and work during the week. In the end, we didn’t get anything countable and this is why we are frustrated.”

He added: “We are not happy about what we have done today but I cannot say anybody did not put everything on the pitch and this is what you can ask for. Creating good moments I think, we had big chances to score more goals but didn’t.”

It was another unfortunate tale of familiarity, who seemed to look at their most dangerous when they had already conceded control of the game to their opposition.

All seven of points have come from losing positions, while they also created the better of their chances when behind versus Manchester United and Wolves – for example.

“In the second-half we played well when it was equal but then they go ahead and we go all-in, taking more risks,” Hasenhuttl said, rejecting the suggestion.

“This is normal I think. But when you are only 60 seconds in the lead this is absolutely frustrating to be honest, when you concede a goal in the first action of the goal.”

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