Hasenhuttl picks out positives after struggling Southampton draw another blank

Ralph Hasenhuttl TEAMtalk

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl bemoaned his side’s ability to find the back of the net again as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Everton on Monday evening.

Richarlison scored for the third-successive match inside the first 10 minutes to move Carlo Ancelotti’s side within two points of fourth-placed West Ham with a match in hand.

But while their worst home run since 1958 was brought to an end, the pain for Saints continued with just one draw and eight defeats in their last nine league matches – leaving them seven points above the bottom three and wondering just where their next win will come from.

Speaking after the game Hasenhuttl told BBC Sport: “We are in a moment where we are short of scoring goals and that makes it difficult to win.

“We are struggling to put the ball in the net, and the problems we have at the moment with the injuries and the run that we are I saw a team that was fighting till the end. I saw spirit.

“In the final third there was a lack of punch. We had a few good moments in the first half, and then we’re missing the ability to put the ball in the net when we do have a chance.

“Everybody knows that getting the first win is the most important and we are fighting for it – you could see that from the guys tonight.

Armstrong provides a positive

“It was important for me tonight to see that Stuart Armstrong can play at six with Oriel Romeu out for the rest of the season.

“Thirty points are not enough to stay in the league, and we need points and maybe next weekend.

“Every week is an important game, it’s not interesting who you play against.”

REPORT: Richarlison goal sees Everton beat Saints in first home league win of 2021