RALPH Hasenhuttl conceded high-flying Newcastle’s quality will “kill you” when they get near the opposition goal and insisted: “This is frustrating to see.”

The Saints boss was speaking after his side’s 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League at St Mary’s.

Despite going behind to Miguel Almiron’s opener, Saints spurned glorious opportunities to level.

Mohamed Elyounoussi fired wide at the back post following a devilish cross from Stuart Armstrong, while Che Adams volleyed wide early in the second half.

Those squandered opportunities were punished by Eddie Howe’s Magpies, who went on to net through Chris Wood, Joe Willock and Bruno Guimaraes.   

Romain Perraud’s second-half strike proved scant consolation for the St Mary’s side.

Asked what could be done about Saints’ squandered chances, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: “Yes, we have the chances and we create them. This is a positive thing.

“That we don’t make them is the other thing. You cannot say that it was a bad finish from Che or a bad run from Moi – but as long as it’s not a goal…

“I think we scored a beautiful one from Romain, but too late.”

He added: “I don’t know if you can make it that easy – what is the difference between these two teams. We are always speaking about chances and not making it.

“It is a little bit more because they have quality in every position. They have a threat, they have with Bruno a fantastic midfielder who leads their game – this is their squad.

“You can see we are doing what we can do, to hold them under control and to compete with them.

“For most of the time we did it well but when you let them near your goal, they have so much quality that they kill you and this is frustrating to see.

“But this is fact, this is Premier League and we have to know this.”