SAINTS boss Russell Martin admitted he took "big pride" in receiving praise from Pep Guardiola but frustration remained his primary feeling.

Martin's Southampton fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Premier League champions last Saturday - Erling Haaland's first-half strike making the difference.

Saints secured a much-needed 3-2 victory over Stoke City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening but remain winless in the Premier League.

Martin hopes the feedback Saints received from Manchester City can serve as another positive ahead of hosting Everton on Saturday.

He said: "We had a good chat after the game. I think one of the things is that he is the best ever and enjoys watching your team.

"If he says you can hurt his team a little bit by doing what you feel is the most important thing for us - to try and defend the ball and build up in a certain way.

"Then, yeah, I think you take big pride in that in the performance. But we didn't win and that's the most frustrating feeling that you leave with.

"I think the players took a lot from that, the feedback they had from their opponents and the players on the pitch. I think it will be a big moment for us."