RALPH Hasenhuttl insisted he is still “convinced about what we have done” despite his Saints team falling to a third successive defeat.

The St Mary’s side went ahead versus Everton early in the second-half but within five minutes of scoring found themselves 2-1 down.

Joe Aribo’s goal was cancelled out by Conor Coady and Dwight McNeil and the Toffees held on despite late heavy pressure from the home team.

The result means Saints have seven points from their opening Premier League matches, with Everton going three clear of them in the table.

“We are convinced about what we have done today. I think it was clear and I was not unhappy with the shape as it worked,” Hasenhuttl said, despite defeat.

“We had a good ball win with Joe and a fantastic pass to Che (Adams) and the chance for the second goal. And Premier League football is brutal when you don't score and then you concede. And this is what happened today.

“This is what this young team has to learn that it's not enough to invest a lot and to create, create, create - you have to in some moments also be decisive. And this is what we haven't been.

“The difference between these two teams today was the clinical finishing that they had and we didn’t have.”

The Austrian added: “I think it was a very intense game from the first moment of the first half two. It was two teams that haven't been really calm on the ball and a lot of mistakes.

“When we were calm in the second half we had some good moments to score a goal but the last decision in the box wasn’t the best one. But there were also so many chances in the second half. I think we showed them when we are strong we can do it well.

“There were moments where we can kill them and we had two good moments, the first one was the goal where we immediately played deep, one good run, Che’s good pass and Joe’s good finish, this is how it should be.

“And yes, I mean, what happened then? Everybody saw from the kick-off a long ball, foul and then a cross from a free-kick from the side. We are not defending well in the box there. They get the equaliser and after it’s tough normally.”

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