Russell Martin believes Southampton’s heavy defeat at Sunderland is evidence that his side have not yet shaken off the hangover of last season’s relegation from the Premier League.
Saints suffered their first defeat of the Championship campaign as they were hammered 5-0 by the brilliant Black Cats at the Stadium of Light.
Martin’s side endured a horror start, going behind to Jack Clarke’s opener after just 52 seconds before Pierre Ekwah added a second for the hosts six minutes later.
Southampton then attempted to get some control of the game but conceded a third on the stroke of half-time, when former West Ham midfielder Ekwah hit his second.
Bradley Dack added a fourth immediately after the restart before 16-year-old substitute Chris Rigg rounded off the rout deep in stoppage time.
Martin said: “I feel really sorry for the supporters that came, they were amazing right to the end and we have to make sure this is the toughest day we have and we have to learn from that.
“Initially it’s really difficult to analyse because I’ll have to watch it back, but when you concede two goals early it completely changes the complex of the game.
“The one thing we spoke about is starting well. It’s a young team at Sunderland and when the wind is in their sails they’re very good but when they have a difficult start they can then find it tough to get the game back
“But the game just went for them. They had momentum after their start, brilliant momentum and we didn’t have enough of that.
“Everything they did well – they fought, they came out on top of duels, they worked so hard – we didn’t, we went in self-preservation mode, which I think is still a hangover from last season.
“It’s the first defeat but the manner of it really hurts.”
The win extended Sunderland’s unbeaten run to three games and Tony Mowbray was delighted after what he says has been a “tough week” off the pitch due to transfer speculation surrounding a number of his players.
The Black Cats lost Ross Stewart to Southampton on deadline day but also had interest in a number of other key players, including Ekwah, Clarke, Patrick Roberts and Dan Neil – who all stayed at the Stadium of Light.
Mowbray said: “The result is important for the team and the spirit.
“It’s been a tough week in the build-up to it in terms of speculation around a lot of our players. In training yesterday, there were rumours about certain clubs looking at certain players and it disrupts young footballers.
“I can see them talking to each other, and yet they showed great professionalism today. We all turned up and did what we hoped we could do.
“I’m happy with the day and happy for the fans. On paper this is a really difficult game. I looked at their squad on the back of the programme and just saw name after name after name of really experienced high quality footballer.”
Sunderland made four deadline-day additions, including the loan signing of Chelsea forward Mason Burstow.
Mowbray said: “We have some extra attacking players now and they might watch that game today thinking how do they get in that team, but that’s OK because competition drives all footballers.”
Pochettino's Chelsea future still unsure despite Tottenham win
Mauricio Pochettino admitted that he will need time to turn things around at Chelsea, but is unsure if he will be given it.
The Blues kept their hopes of a European place alive on Thursday with an impressive 2-0 victory over Pochettino's former side, Tottenham, thanks to goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson.
Despite getting back to winning ways, the Argentinian’s future at the club is still subject to speculation as the end of the season draws closer.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Pochettino said he does not know what the future holds for him at Chelsea.
He said: "Maybe today because we won, I can explain a little bit better. I want to say enough is enough. I think all managers need time to translate their ideas and their philosophy. We need to have time, but it is not my decision.
"It's difficult to see every single week that I am under scrutiny and judgement. Yes, it's not my decision to be here or not to be here.
"I cannot tell you. I can say nothing. If we want to match the history of Chelsea, I think there is a lot of work to do. We will see if we have time to build this way.
"I am so, so proud of the guys, all the squad we have - 25, 27 players. I work for them. We want the best for them. Until the last day, we are going to work for them."
Chelsea were missing 14 first-team players through injury against Spurs but earned three points, which moved them above West Ham into eighth with 51 points.
Pochettino added: "Today was fantastic, full credit to the players. It is my first time in the season I really do feel so, so happy.
"It is the moment after 10 months the team really starts to realise how we need to compete. Today we competed really well against a great team.
" [We may need] some luck to have this type of result, it helps give belief to the players that this is the way. "
'Everything that could go wrong, did' - McGinn reflects on Olympiacos defeat
Aston Villa captain, John McGinn said that “everything that could have gone wrong, did” after their Europa Conference League semi-final first-leg defeat to Olympiacos on Thursday.
Ayoub El Kaabi scored a hat-trick for Olympiacos, netting twice in the first half, though Villa fought back through Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby.
El Kaabi converted a spot-kick before a deflected Santiago Hezze strike put the visitors back in control.
Douglas Luiz also missed a late penalty, leaving Villa with a two-goal deficit to overturn in the second leg next Thursday.
Asked what he felt went wrong for the Villans, McGinn, speaking to TNT Sports, said: "Not the game we wanted. We wanted a lot more control. We started the game well.
"They're a good side. We wanted a victory going to Greece. We showed we're capable of coming back.
"Mistakes all round tonight. We'll take responsibility, but it's up to us to go to Athens and turn it around because we're capable.
"They played very well tactically. They played the way we expected, so there were no surprises.
"Everything that could have gone wrong tonight did."
He added: "The manager was still positive in there. There's still a long way to go.
"We need to play a lot better than we did tonight, but we're more than capable of doing it.
"Hopefully we'll have a few players back. The onus is on us to attack Olympiacos and score some goals.
"We have a mountain to climb, but we know we're capable."
O'Hara announces retirement from football
Two-time Women’s World Cup winner, Kelley O’Hara has announced that she will retire from football at the end of the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.
Between 2011 and 2023, she played in four Women’s World Cups, becoming just the 12th US player to reach that landmark, and three Olympic Games, winning a gold medal in 2012.
The 35-year-old finished her international career with 160 caps, scoring three goals, including a winner in the semi-final en route to winning the Women’s World Cup in 2015, and assisting 21.
She also won three championships, one in the now-defunct Women’s Professional Soccer and two in the NWSL, helping NJ/NY Gotham FC to their first title last season.
O’Hara said: "It has been one of the greatest joys to represent my country and to wear the U.S. Soccer crest."
"As I close this chapter of my life, I am filled with gratitude. Looking back on my career I am so thankful for all the things I was able to accomplish but most importantly the people I was able to accomplish them with."
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