MANAGER Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted it had been “tough” for goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to ship more goals at Manchester City and added: “It was a hard job to do.”

The Saints keeper was recalled by Hasenhuttl in place of Fraser Forster, despite the latter conceding just once in six games this campaign.

But McCarthy was powerless to prevent Riyad Mahrez and Kevin de Bruyne striking twice for the hosts.

Ilkay Gundogan also got in on the act as Saints fell to a 5-2 reverse against the league leaders.

Asked about recalling McCarthy following the contest, Hasenhuttl said: “It was a tough game for Alex again.

“It was good that we didn’t collapse after the fifth goal.

“We kept on going because it would be horrible for him to conceded again more than five goals.

“It’s not nice to concede them but against this side, I haven’t seen the situation where he was able to make a save. He had a few good saves anyway.

“It was a hard job to do but this is normal here.”

McCarthy has played 25 times for Saints in the Premier League this season, making 73 saves and keeping seven clean sheets.