MANAGER Ralph Hasenhuttl saw captain James Ward-Prowse sent off for Saints at Chelsea and insisted: “He knows he didn’t help us.”

The 26-year-old looked set to drive his team on to at least avoid defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, having slotted home from the penalty spot to make it 1-1 against the European champions.

But having cancelled out Trevoh Chalobah’s early opener in the capital, Ward-Prowse was then shown red for a foul on Jorginho 13 minutes from time, following a VAR check.

It was just the second time he had been sent off in his career – the first in a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland in the Premier League back in 2015.

Asked whether Ward-Prowse was apologising for his part following the defeat, Hasenhuttl said: “Yeah, sure. He’s the captain and he knows he didn’t help us today.

“But, yes, I mean no reason to be angry about this.

“We showed really some good performance and it’s a pity we couldn’t finalise it – that is the pity.”

Following Ward-Prowse’s sending off, Thomas Tuchel’s side netted through Timo Werner and ben Chilwell to wrap up all three points.

Ward-Prowse is now set to also be hit with a three-game ban following the dismissal.