Mark Hughes has claimed that Southampton cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves after collapsing against Chelsea on Saturday.

Dusan Tadic's opener and Jan Bednarek's left-footed shot looked to be lifting Saints out of the Premier League's bottom three at St Mary's Stadium.

However, a disastrous eight-minute spell midway through the second half saw Chelsea strike three times to condemn Southampton to a 3-2 defeat.

"They've taken blows all year," Hughes told reporters after the game. "They can't start feeling sorry for themselves now, it's gone beyond that.

"We've got to stick our chests out, get on with it, start being men and take responsibility. I thought they did that today, and against Arsenal. I think we've still got enough."

Saints remain three points adrift of safety with just five games remaining to try to save their top-flight status.

Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte