MANAGER Ralph Hasenhuttl described Saints’ first goal conceded at West Ham as “absolutely a disaster” as they slumped to a wretched 3-0 reverse.

Victory over the Irons at London Stadium would have put Saints 12th at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

But a double from Pablo Fornals and a late strike from Declan Rice ensure the St Mary’s side were left to settle for 15th spot.

Saints had chances with the game goalless against the Irons, with Kyle Walker-Peters twice getting forward to work keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

But Fornals’s first breakthrough particularly irked Hasenhuttl, with Jarrod Bowen allowed to waltz into the box and strike at goal in the build-up.

“The first one was absolutely a disaster how we defend,” said the Austrian boss. “When you don’t run with your player in the box, what can you say?

“I think it’s not interesting to speak about individuals. We are 15th in the table – this is where we should be. Our whole performance is not enough.

“To play one half of a good season is not enough when you want to end higher in the table.”

Only relegated West Bromwich Albion have conceded more goals than Saints in the Premier League this season.

Hasenhuttl’s men have shipped 68 goals in total, at an average of more than 1.7 per game.

Victory ensured David Moyes’s Irons booked their place to play Europa League football next season.