Mark Hughes has described Leicester’s last minute winner against Southampton as a ‘hammer blow,’ as well as calling Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s two yellow cards as ‘soft’.
Southampton took the lead in the 52nd minute through a Ryan Bertrand strike, only for Demarai Gray to equalise just four minutes later. However, with the Saints looking like picking up a point, England and Leicester defender Harry Maguire fired home for the visitors in the 92nd minute to snatch a victory.
Speaking after the game, Southampton manager Mark Hughes was impressed with some of his side’s play, insisting that despite the defeat, the performance gives him hope for the rest of the season:
“I thought we were excellent first half. On the front foot, asking questions of the opposition,” Hughes told the BBC.
“We got our noses in front with a fantastic goal from Ryan but if we managed that game better, we could’ve come away with something. At that point, I thought the only winner was us, but momentum shifted and that was really a hammer blow to lose at the end.
“The manner of the performance gives me hope for the rest of the season because we definitely deserved to get something out of today’s game. We let them back into the game and it’s really cruel that we haven’t got anything to show for it. It was a really strong performance and if we continue like that, everyone will be happy.”
He was however disappointed that his side had to play the last 13 minutes of added time with just 10 men after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was dismissed for two bookable offences:
“In my opinion, going down to 10 men was unfortunate. To defend Pierre, I think both yellows were a bit soft. The first one was just a coming together, it was sinful. But if you’ve got one, you walk a tightrope. I think he was clipped when he went down on the second, but Mr Moss was in position and he sent him off.”